Kuki-Chin National Front Explained

The Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), also known as the Bom Party,^[5] is a banned ethno-nationalist armed militant political organization in Bangladesh based in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Established by Nathan Bom in 2008, KNF aims to establish a separate autonomous or independent state for Bawm, Pangkhua, Lushai, Khumi, Mru & Khiang peoples with nine subdistricts (upazilas) of Rangamati and Bandarban districts.^[6] The Front has an armed wing called Kuki-Chin National Army. According to Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies, Kuki-Chin National Front has received weapons from Kachin State in Myanmar, and also has ties with Karen rebels.

History

Kuki-Chin National Front was established in 2017 by members of the Bawm people in Bangladesh with two thousand personnel.^[7] The Bawm community is mostly Christian and accuses the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti of discrimination. The founding president of the Kuki-Chin National Front is Nathan Bom, a graduate of fine arts from the University of Dhaka. He was previously involved with the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti's student wing, the Pahari Chhatra Parishad, and founded the Kuki-Chin National Development Organization in 2008 and renamed to Kuki-Chin National Volunteers (KNV) in 2016. KNV developed relations with the rebels of the Manipur state of India and Chin state of Myanmar.^[2] In the first batch of KNV fighters, over a hundred members of the organization were sent to Manipur for training, followed by 100 members to be sent to India's Manipur and Myanmar's Karen and Kachin states.^[2] The Kuki-Chin National Volunteers would become the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) in 2020.

In June 2022, the Kuki-Chin National Front attacked a camp of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti, killing three in Belaichhari Upazila, Rangamati District.^[8] In October, tourists were sent back from Bandarban District in preparation for an operation by Bangladesh Army and other security forces against Kuki-Chin National Front.^[9] In November 2022, Bangladesh Army launched a drive against Kuki-Chin National Front which saw 270 Kuki people seek refuge in Mizoram State in India.^{[10] [11]}

In February 2023, Rapid Action Battalion arrested 17 personnel of Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya and three members of Kuki-Chin National Front after a day-long gunfight.^[12] They also recovered AK-22 rifles among other weapons and bomb making equipment.^[13] Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya paid 1.7 million to Kuki-Chin National Front for weapons.^[14] By January 2023, 14 members of Kuki-Chin National Front were detained.^[15]

Kuki-Chin National Army

Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA) is the armed wing of Kuki-Chin National Front.^[18] Vanchun Lian Master, a vice-principal of the government primary school, is the chief of staff of the Kuki-Chin National Front's armed wing.^[19]

From 11 to 17 January 2023, the Bandarban District administration banned tourists in the district due to a security forces' operation against the Kuki-Chin National Army.^[20] A bullet hit body of Kuki-Chin National Army personnel was found Ruma Upazila on 30 January 2023 after a gunfight with security forces.^[21] Another gunfight took place between Rapid Action Battalion and the Kuki-Chin National Army.^[22] On 12 March, the Assam Rifles detained two members of the Kuki-Chin National Army in Mirozam.^[23] In April 2023, eight people were killed in a shoot-out between the United People's Democratic Front (Democratic), a fraction of the United People's Democratic Front, and Kuki-Chin National Army in Rowangchhari Upazila, Bandarban District.

Militant activities

• On 11 March 2023, KNA members abducted 12 laborers after not receiving the demanded contribution from civilian contractors, suppliers, and laborers involved in the Thanchi road construction project in Bandarban. The project was under the supervision of the Bangladesh Army. Of these laborers, seven were released in exchange for ransom, but five remained held hostage—one of whom suffered bullet injuries. It also kidnapped a retired sergeant of Bangladesh Army who was working as a contractor on road construction.^[24] The day after this incident, on 12 March 2023, KNA members fired upon an army patrol team in Bandarban's Rawangchari. This team was responsible for securing a mission to provide free healthcare to mothers and children in remote hilly areas. The initiative was part of the observance of National Children's Day 2023 and the celebration of Independence Day, all under the supervision of the Bangladesh Army. Tragically, Army Master Warrant Officer Nazim Uddin was shot and lost his life on the spot. Additionally, two more army personnel sustained injuries during the attack.^{[25] [26]}
• On 17 May 2023, two soldiers of the Bangladesh Army were killed and two officers were injured in Ruma upazila, Bandarban. The incident occurred as a result of an explosion caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) and unforeseen gunfire from the Kuki-Chin National Army.^[27]
• On the night of 2 April 2024, some members of this group robbed the Sonali Bank branch in Ruma upazila,^[28] looting around 15 million taka. The next day at noon, group members again attempted to rob two branches of Krishi Bank and Sonali Bank in Thanchi Upazila. Apart from the bank robbery incident, the attackers kidnapped the manager of a Sonali Bank branch, and snatched around 14 firearms of police and Ansar paramilitary forces.^{[29] [30]} Later, the manager was released in exchange for a ransom of Tk1.5 million.^{[31] [32]} After this incident, Bangladesh government suspended the peace talks and combined forces of Bangladesh Army, RAB and police declared full-scale operation to capture KNF insurgents. By 10 April 2024, 55 people allegedly associated with KNF were arrested by Bangladesh Police.^[33]

Notes and References

1. http://www.itvbd.com/analysis/141797 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507033929/https://www.itvbd.com/analysis/141797/%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B7%E2%80%93%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8B%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%93%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A3|date=7 May 2024}}
2. News: http://www.protidinersangbad.com/todays-newspaper/first-page/451105 . bn:পাহাড়ে রহস্যময় নাম 'নাথান বম' . Protidiner Sangbad . https://web.archive.org/web/20240505224519/http://www.protidinersangbad.com/todays-newspaper/first-page/451105 . 5 May 2024.
3. https://bipss.org.bd/pdf/Evolution%20of%20Kuki%20Chin%20National%20Front%20as%20a%20Separatist%20Group%20and%20Impact%20on%20National%20and%20Regional%20Security%20(1).pdf Evolution of Kuki Chin National Front as a Separatist Group and Impact on National and Regional Security
4. News: Nathan Bom's close associate, KNF 'chief coordinator' arrested . Prothom Alo . 7 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240410222508/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/iilgm9qd68 . 10 April 2024.
5. News: In Chattogram Hill Tracts, a new group of armed insurgents is making waves. Who are they? . 7 April 2023 . bdnews24.com . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20240502085229/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/in-chattogram-hill-tracts-a-new-group-of-armed-insurgents-is-making-waves.-who-are-they . 2 May 2024.
6. News: KNF: Where does it get its funding and what is its endgame? . Dhaka tribune . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320203305/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2023/02/22/knf-where-does-it-get-its-funding-and-what-is-its-endgame . 20 March 2023.
7. News: 17 January 2023 . Who are these Kuki-Chin armies in the CHT? . 7 April 2023 . Dhaka Tribune . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20230410150052/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2023/01/17/who-are-these-kuki-chin-armies-in-the-cht . 10 April 2023.
8. News: 23 June 2022 . 3 reportedly shot dead in CHT . 7 April 2023 . The Daily Star . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20220706044327/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/three-reportedly-shot-dead-cht-3053976. 6 July 2022.
9. News: 18 October 2022 . Tourists being sent back from Bandarban . 7 April 2023 . Dhaka Tribune . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409195054/https://www.dhakatribune.com/nation/2022/10/18/tourists-being-sent-back-from-bandarban. 9 April 2023.
10. Web site: KNF — A New Threat to Regional Security? CGS . 7 April 2023 . cgs-bd.com . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20231208201736/https://cgs-bd.com/article/10367/KNF-%E2%80%94-A-New-Threat-to-Regional-Security. 8 December 2023.
11. Why Did Bangladesh's Kuki Chin Flee to India's Northeast? . 7 April 2023 . The Diplomat . en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20240224220216/https://thediplomat.com/2023/02/why-did-bangladeshs-kuki-chin-flee-to-indias-northeast/. 24 February 2024.
12. News: Islam . Shariful . Marma . Mong Sing Hai . 8 February 2023 . Bandarban's Thanchi: Rab arrests 17 militants after daylong gunfight . 7 April 2023 . The Daily Star . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20230410104401/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/bandarbans-thanchi-rab-arrests-17-militants-after-daylong-gunfight-3241821. 10 April 2023.
13. News: 9 February 2023 . Militants held in hills: Educated, yet they chose the wrong path . 7 April 2023 . The Daily Star . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20240409041535/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/militants-held-hills-educated-yet-they-chose-the-wrong-path-3242851. 9 April 2024.
14. News: 4 November 2022 . Jama'atul Ansar financed Tk 17 lakh to buy heavy weapons: Rab . 7 April 2023 . The Daily Star . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409195054/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/jamaatul-ansar-financed-tk-17-lakh-buy-heavy-weapons-rab-3160576. 9 April 2023.
15. News: 12 January 2023 . 12 militants, 14 KNF members arrested so far in anti-militancy drive in Bandarban: Rab . 7 April 2023 . The Business Standard . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20231204112024/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/12-militants-14-knf-members-arrested-so-far-anti-militancy-drive-bandarban-rab-566742. 4 December 2023.
16. Web site: Evolution of Kuki Chin National Front as Separatist Group and Impact on National and Region Security . 8 August 2024 . Bangladesh Institute Of Peace And Security Studies . 6 August 2019.
17. News: Govt to go tough on KNF . The Daily Star.
18. News: 7 April 2023 . 8 killed in 'shootout' between 2 armed groups in Bandarban: police . 7 April 2023 . The Daily Star . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409134833/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/8-killed-shootout-between-2-armed-groups-bandarban-police-3291271. 9 April 2023.
19. News: 21 March 2023 . KNF disrupting tourism, development works in Bandarban . 7 April 2023 . Dhaka Tribune . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20230320184623/https://www.dhakatribune.com/nation/2023/03/21/knf-disrupting-tourism-development-works-in-bandarban. 20 March 2023.
20. News: 9 January 2023 . Tourism banned again in Bandarban's Thanchi . 7 April 2023 . Dhaka Tribune . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20230407211258/https://www.dhakatribune.com/nation/2023/01/09/tourism-banned-again-in-bandarbans-3-upazilas . 7 April 2023.
21. News: 30 January 2023 . 'KNF man' found shot dead in CHT . 7 April 2023 . The Daily Star . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20240409041535/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/knf-man-found-shot-dead-cht-3233871 . 9 April 2024.
22. News: 7 February 2023 . 5 held over RAB-KNF gunfight in Bandarban . 7 April 2023 . Dhaka Tribune . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20230410043328/https://www.dhakatribune.com/nation/2023/02/07/five-held-over-knf-terrorists-gunfight-with-rab . 10 April 2023.
23. Web site: 12 March 2023 . Mizoram: Two active Kuki Chin National Army cadres arrested by Assam Rifles in Lawgtlalai district . 7 April 2023 . India Today NE . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301165525/https://www.indiatodayne.in/mizoram/story/mizoram-two-active-kuki-chin-national-army-cadres-arrested-by-assam-rifles-in-lawgtlalai-district-525567-2023-03-12 . 1 March 2024.
24. News: Retired army sergeant abducted by KNA . https://web.archive.org/web/20230410150059/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/local-news/nc3vhhqiln . 10 April 2023 . 7 April 2023 . Prothom Alo . en.
25. Web site: Army man killed as KNA activists open fire in Bandarban . 4 May 2024 . businesspostbd.com . en . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/X15PO . 5 June 2024.
26. News: bn:বান্দরবানে কেএনএর গুলিতে সেনাসদস্য নিহত . https://www.banglanews24.com/print/1073107 . 12 July 2024 . banglanews24.com . bn.
27. News: 17 May 2023 . Kuki-Chin National Army attack kills 2 Army men: ISPR . en . Prothom Alo . 17 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20240605135932/https://businesspostbd.com/back/2023-03-14/army-man-killed-as-kna-activists-open-fire-in-bandarban-2023-03-14. 5 June 2024.
28. News: bn:সোনালি ব্যাংকে ডাকাতি . https://www.somoynews.tv/news/2024-04-03/CM6KNV1B . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405155613/https://www.somoynews.tv/news/2024-04-03/CM6KNV1B . 5 April 2024 . bn.
29. News: bn:ব্যাংক ডাকাতি . https://www.itvbd.com/country/chittagong/140309/%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%A0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%8E-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8B%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%AB . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405160654/https://www.itvbd.com/country/chittagong/140309/%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%A0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%8E-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8B%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%AB . 5 April 2024 . bn.
30. News: 5 April 2024 . bn:পাহাড় জনপদে আতঙ্কের ঢেউ . https://www.bhorerkagoj.com/print-edition/2024/04/05/%e0%a6%aa%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b9%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a1%e0%a6%bc-%e0%a6%9c%e0%a6%a8%e0%a6%aa%e0%a6%a6%e0%a7%87-%e0%a6%86%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%99%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%95%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%a2%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%89/ . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405160351/https://www.bhorerkagoj.com/print-edition/2024/04/05/%e0%a6%aa%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b9%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a1%e0%a6%bc-%e0%a6%9c%e0%a6%a8%e0%a6%aa%e0%a6%a6%e0%a7%87-%e0%a6%86%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%99%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%95%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%a2%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%89/ . 5 April 2024 . 11 April 2024 . Bhorer Kagoj . bn.
31. Web site: Sakib . Musanna . 5 April 2024 . bn:ব্যাংক ম্যানেজারকে ছাড়তে ২০ লাখ টাকা মুক্তিপণ চায় কুকি-চিন: র‍্যাব . https://www.arthosuchak.com/archives/834860/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%A4/ . https://web.archive.org/web/20240412025459/https://www.arthosuchak.com/archives/834860/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%A4/ . 12 April 2024 . 11 April 2024 . Arthosuchak . bn.
32. News: 4 April 2024 . Sonali Bank manager released as Tk15 lakh ransom paid to KNF . 12 July 2024 . The Business Standard . en.
33. News: Bandarban raids: Police arrest man associated with KNF . . 10 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240410114922/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/343816/knf-associate-held-in-bandarban . 10 April 2024.