Why is the Kuki-Chin National Front increasing tensions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts?

The Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), which emerged from the Kuki-Chin National Development Organization (KNDO), has become a growing force in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and is calling for the creation of an independent state for the ethnic Kuki-Chin groups. .

Founded in 2008 under the leadership of Nathan Bawm, the KNDO’s original purpose was to promote 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 terror group’s initial efforts were aimed at advocating peace, harmony and resolving grievances through dialogue with the government of Bangladesh, according to information from official sources.

However, after years of unmet demands, the KNDO transformed into the Kuki-Chin National Front in 2016, taking a more militant approach with the formation of its armed wing, the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA).

According to the officials, the KNF is now seeking the creation of a separate Kuki-Chin state, Kukiland, and aims to restore the land of their ancestors, by removing the presence of what they call ‘armed terrorists’ from the area, with particular reference to the United Nations. Democratic Front (UPDF) and the JSS factions.

The group’s activities have escalated, moving from advocacy to armed conflict.

The KNF’s main objectives include restoring the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, a holdover from British colonial rule that required non-indigenous people to obtain special permission to enter the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The ILP was a protective measure for the indigenous population and their land.

The KNF’s rhetoric often describes their struggle as a reclamation of these areas, in addition to the repatriation of displaced Kuki-Chin people who were forced to migrate to areas such as Mizoram in India and Chin State in Myanmar during British rule.

In recent months, the KNF has been involved in increasingly violent confrontations. On April 2, 2024, a group of twenty to thirty KNF militants launched a daring attack on a branch of Sonali Bank in Ruma Bazar, Bandarban.

The armed assailants not only looted a significant amount of money – around Tk 15-20 lakh – but also stole firearms, including rifles and SMGs, and kidnapped the bank manager. This attack was followed the next day by another bank robbery, with the attackers making off with mobile phones and more cash.

The KNF’s military activities have led to direct confrontations with the Bangladeshi security forces. On April 3, 2024, and again on August 6, 2024, heavy gunfire occurred between the KNA and army patrol teams in the Ruma zone, especially 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 and claims to have an army of more than 3,000, although its actual strength is estimated at 50 to 60 men.

The KNF leadership, led by President Nathan Bawm, a former University of Dhaka graduate and political candidate, and Chief of Staff Upa Vanchung, has vowed to continue the struggle for a separate territorial state of Kuki-Chin. The group’s activities include elite units such as the ‘Head-hunters’, a commando unit that has gained fame for their violent fighting.

The presence of the indigenous Kuki-Chin community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is often overshadowed by the larger Bengali-dominated political landscape.

The KNF claims their actions are a response to years of neglect and marginalization, with the government unable to meet their demands. The region, known for its ethnic diversity, has long been a place of tension between indigenous communities and the state of Bangladesh.

As the conflict deepens, the future of the Chittagong Hill Tracts remains uncertain. The government has expressed concern about the increasing violence and its impact on the stability of the region.

With the Kuki-Chin National Front resolute in its goals, the path to peace seems distant as the KNF makes progress in its quest for autonomy and the settlement of Kukiland.

When asked about the rising tensions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts related to the activities of the Kuki National Front (KNF), security expert Brigadier General (Retired) Abdul Hamid stressed that the KNF issue has crossed national boundaries.

He said the group is reportedly active in India, Myanmar, China and Bangladesh. In addition to recent operations in the Bandarban region of Bangladesh, they have also carried out significant attacks in the Indian state of Manipur, causing significant losses of life and resources.

The KNF also reportedly advocates an independent Kuki state, which Brigadier General Hamid sees as a reflection of broader regional dynamics influenced by world powers.

He said tackling this problem requires a comprehensive strategy that takes into account the geopolitical landscape, emerging trends and potential scenarios.

This approach should include ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders, including global powers such as the US, UK and EU, as well as countries directly involved in the issue such as India, China and Myanmar, Abdul Hamid said.

Brigadier General Hamid emphasized the need to use both soft and hard power by working with politicians, civil society, NGOs and the Armed Forces of Bangladesh.

He also stressed the importance of active diplomacy, especially through talks with India and Myanmar, to address the challenges of Kuki-Chin displacement and reduce the likelihood of regional instability.