United People's Democratic Solidarity
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Karbi Anglong district
- Dima Hasao district (minor activity)
(Hemprek Kangthim)
| United People's Democratic Solidarity | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Kiri Rongphar (founder) |
| Dates of operation | March 1999–2014 |
| Active regions | Assam, India
|
| Ideology | Karbi self-determination (Hemprek Kangthim) |
| Opponents |  India |
| Battles and wars | Insurgency in Northeast India |
United People's Democratic Solidarity was formed in India in March 1999 with the merger of two insurgent outfits in the state of Assam's Karbi Anglong district, the Karbi National Volunteers (KNV) and Karbi People's Front (KPF).[1]
The outfit signed a ceasefire agreement for one year with the Union Government on 23 May 2002.[2] However, this led to a split in the UPDS with one faction deciding to continue with its subversive activities while the other commenced negotiations with the Government. Currently, there are two factions: pro-talks and anti-talks. On 16 May 2004, the UPDS (Anti-Talks) rechristened itself as the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) and its armed wing as the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Resistance Force (KNPR).
Kiri Rongphar was the founder ‘chairman’ of the outfit. He was arrested on 22 October 1999. On 22 August 2002, UPDS 'commander-in-chief' Long Kumar Kiling died of injuries sustained during a feline attack in the forests of Karbi Anglong district. Although this has not been proved.
After that, the outfit was headed by its Chairman Longder Singner alias H E Kathar and General Secretary Horen Singh Bey. T Nongloda was the outfit's Publicity Secretary and Lindok Ronghang its Finance Secretary.
The total cadre strength of the UPDS was estimated to be a little more than 150, of which at least 50 were believed to be armed with sophisticated weapons.
Areas of operation
The outfit's main area of operations was in the Karbi Anglong district, with a relatively minor presence in Dima Hasao district.
Linkages
The outfit was known to have grown with the active assistance of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), which provided it with arms and ammunition. It was alsoreported to have procured arms and ammunition from Bhutan and Bangladesh.
The UPDS also shared a ‘working relationship’ with the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).