India's new anti-rebel development programme

BBC World Service, Thursday 9 April 1998, published at 17:30 GMT 18:30 UK

The government of India's West Bengal state says it will launch a development programme in the Himalayan Dooars tea growing region to try to counter efforts by rebel groups to recruit support in the area.

Local people say that the area has been neglected by government, with roads, schools and health centres in poor condition.

The state government fears this discontent could lead residents to sympathise with separatist rebels from the neighbouring state of Assam.

The programme has the support of tea estate owners and will be partly funded by the World Bank.