Why Kuki-Chin National Front raising tensions in Chittagong Hill Tracts?
UNB
Publish: 26 Nov 2024, 08:36 PM
Dhaka,
Nov 26 (UNB) - The Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), which evolved from the
Kuki-Chin National Development Organisation (KNDO), has become a growing force
in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, calling for the establishment of an independent
state for the Kuki-Chin ethnic groups.
The KNDO, founded in
2008 under the leadership of Nathan Bawm, originally aimed to address the
rights and interests of six small ethnic communities-Bawm, Pangkhua, Lusai,
Ghumi, Mo, and Khiang-living in the mountainous areas of Bandarban and
Rangamati.
The terrorist group's
early efforts focused on advocating for peace, harmony and the resolution of
grievances through dialogue with the Bangladeshi government, according to
information provided by official sources.
However, after years of
unfulfilled demands, the KNDO transformed into the Kuki-Chin National Front in
2016, adopting a more militant approach with the formation of its armed wing,
the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA).
According to the
officials, the KNF now seeks the creation of a separate Kuki-Chin state,
Kukiland, and aims to restore their ancestral lands, removing the presence of
what they term as "armed terrorists" from the area, referring
particularly to the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) and the JSS factions.
The group's activities
have escalated over the years, moving from advocacy to armed conflict.
The KNF's key goals
include the re-establishment of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, a relic
from British colonial rule that required non-indigenous people to obtain
special permission to enter the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The ILP was seen as a
protective measure for the indigenous populations and their lands.
The KNF's rhetoric often
frames their struggle as reclamation of these territories, alongside the
repatriation of displaced Kuki-Chin people who were forced to migrate during
British rule to areas such as Mizoram in India and Chin State in Myanmar.
In recent months, the
KNF has engaged in increasingly violent confrontations. On April 2, 2024, a
group of 20 to 30 KNF militants launched a daring attack on a Sonali Bank
branch in Ruma Bazar, Bandarban.
The armed assailants not
only looted a significant amount of money-approximately Tk 15-20 lakh-but also
stole firearms, including rifles and SMGs, and abducted the bank manager. This
attack was followed by another bank robbery the next day, in which the
assailants made off with mobile phones and more money.
The KNF's military
activities have led to direct confrontations with Bangladeshi security forces.
On April 3, 2024, and again on August 6, 2024, heavy exchanges of gunfire
occurred between the KNA and army patrol teams in the Ruma zone, particularly
in areas such as Jhurbarong Para and Poli Prangsha Para.
These clashes resulted
in the death of an army soldier and injuries to several others. The KNF
continues to strengthen its position in the region, claiming to have an army of
over 3,000 personnel, despite the actual strength being estimated at 50 to 60.
The KNF's leadership,
led by President Nathan Bawm, a former Dhaka University graduate and political
candidate, and Chief of Staff Upa Vanchung, has vowed to continue their
struggle for a separate Kuki-Chin territorial state. The group's operations
include elite units such as the "Head-hunters," a commando squad that
has earned notoriety in their violent engagements.
The presence of the
indigenous Kuki-Chin community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts has often been
overshadowed by the larger Bengali-dominated political landscape.
The KNF claims that
their actions are in response to years of neglect and marginalisation, with the
government's inability to address their demands. The region, known for its
ethnic diversity, has long been a site of tension between indigenous
communities and the Bangladeshi state.
As the conflict deepens,
the future of the Chittagong Hill Tracts remains uncertain. The government has
expressed concern over the increasing violence and its impact on the region's
stability.
With the Kuki-Chin
National Front resolute in its goals, the road to peace appears distant, as the
KNF pushes forward in its quest for autonomy and the establishment of Kukiland.
When asked about the
rising tensions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts linked to the activities of the
Kuki National Front (KNF), security expert Brigadier General (retired) Md Abdul
Hamid highlighted that the KNF issue has transcended national boundaries.
He said the group is
reportedly active in India, Myanmar, China and Bangladesh. In addition to
recent operations in Bangladesh's Bandarban region, they have carried out
significant attacks in India's Manipur state, resulting in substantial loss of
life and resources.
The KNF is also
reportedly advocating for an independent Kuki state, which Brig Gen Hamid views
as a reflection of broader regional dynamics influenced by global powers.
He said that addressing
this issue requires a comprehensive strategy that considers the geopolitical
landscape, emerging trends, and potential scenarios.
This approach must
include continuous dialogue with key stakeholders, including global powers such
as the USA, UK, and EU, as well as countries directly involved in the matter,
like India, China, and Myanmar, Abdul Hamid said.
Brig Gen Hamid stressed
the need for using both soft and hard power by working together with
politicians, civil society, NGOs, and the Bangladesh Armed Forces.
He also highlighted the
importance of active diplomacy, especially through discussions with India and
Myanmar, to tackle the challenges of the Kuki-Chin displacement and reduce the
chances of regional instability.
END/UNB/MJ-SU/SAM/