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

The Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), which evolved from the Kuki-Chin National Development Organization (KNDO), became a growing force in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, calling for the establishment of an independent state for the Kuki-Chin ethnic groups.

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.

According to information provided by official sources, the terrorist group’s early efforts focused on promoting peace, harmony and resolving grievances through dialogue with the Bangladesh government.

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

According to KNF officials, they are currently seeking to create a separate Kuki-Chin state, Kukiland, and aim to restore their ancestral lands by removing the presence of what they call “armed terrorists” from the area, referring specifically to the United Nations Democratic Front ( UPDF) and JSS factions.

The group’s activities intensified, moving from advocacy activities to armed conflicts.

The KNF’s key goals include restoring the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, a legacy of 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 indigenous people and their lands.

KNF rhetoric often frames this fight as the reclamation of these territories with 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 Burma.

In recent months, the Polish Financial Supervision Authority has been involved in increasingly brutal confrontations. On April 2, 2024, a group of 20-30 KNF militants carried out a daring attack on the Sonali bank branch in Ruma Bazar, Bandarban.

The gunmen not only looted a significant sum of money – around Tk 15-20 lakh – but also stole firearms, including rifles and submachine guns, and abducted a bank manager. This attack was followed by another bank robbery the next day, during which the attackers stole cell phones and more money.

The KNF’s military activities led to direct confrontations with the Bangladeshi security forces. On April 3, 2024, and again on August 6, 2024, there were fierce exchanges of fire between KNA patrol teams and the military in the Ruma zone, particularly in areas such as Jhurbarong Para and Poli Prangsha Para.

These clashes left an army soldier dead and several others injured. The KNF continues to strengthen its position in the region, claiming to have an army of over 3,000. soldiers, although the actual number is estimated at 50-60.

The KNF leadership, headed by President Nathan Bawm, a former Dhaka University graduate and political candidate, and Chief of Staff Upa Vanchung, announced they would continue the fight for a separate Kuki-Chin territorial state. The group’s activities include elite units such as the “Bounty Hunters” – a commando unit that gained notoriety for its brutal clashes.

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

The KNF claims that their actions are a response to years of neglect and marginalization and the government’s inability to respond to 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 expressed concern about the escalating violence and its impact on regional stability.

With the Kuki-Chin National Front determined to achieve its goals, the road to peace seems distant as the KNF advances in its quest for autonomy and the creation of Kukiland.

Asked about the rising tension in the Chittagong Hill Tracts over the activities of the Kuki National Front (KNF), security expert Brigadier General (retd) Md Abdul Hamid stressed that the KNF issue has transcended national borders.

He said the group was reported to be operating in India, Myanmar, China and Bangladesh. In addition to recent operations in the Bandarban region of Bangladesh, they have carried out significant attacks in the Indian state of Manipur, resulting in numerous deaths and destruction of resources.

The KNF is also reported to be in favor of an independent Kuki state, which Brigadier General Hamid sees as a reflection of broader regional dynamics influenced by world powers.

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

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

Brigadier General Hamid emphasized the need to use both soft and hard power, working with politicians, civil society, non-governmental organizations and the Bangladesh armed forces.

He also stressed the importance of active diplomacy, especially through talks with India and Myanmar, to address the challenges of Kuki-Chin resettlement and reduce the risk of instability in the region.