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National Liberation Front of Tripura

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National Liberation Front of Tripura
Founding leaderDhananjoy Reang
LeadersBiswamohan Debbarma (POW)
Utpanna Tripura †
Mukul Debbarma †
Nayanbashi Jamatia (POW)
Dates of operation1989 – 2024 (35 years)
Split to
  • National Liberation Front of Tripura - Biswamohan
    (NLFT-BM)
    (Until 2024)[1]
  • National Liberation Front of Tripura - Parimal Debbarma
    (NLFT-PD)
    (Until 2024)
  • National Liberation Front of Tripura - Nayanbasi(NLFT-N) (Until 2004)
  • National Liberation Front of Tripura - Prabhat Jamatya(NLFT-PJ) (Until 2014)
  • National Liberation Front of Tripura-Subir
    (NLFT-SD) (Until 2019)
HeadquartersBangladesh,
Bhutan (former)
Active regionsTripura, India
IdeologyTripuri nationalism
Separatism
StatusDisbanded
Size550 (Biswamohan faction)
250 (Nayanbasi faction)
OpponentsGovernment of Tripura
Battles and warsInsurgency in Northeast India
Designated as a terrorist group byGovernment of India,
Government of Tripura,
Interpol

The National Liberation Front of Tripura (abbreviated NLFT) was a banned Christian Tripuri nationalist militant organisation based in Tripura, India. It had an estimated 550 to 850 members. [citation needed][2]

The NLFT sought to secede from India and establish an independent Tripuri state and was an active participant in the Insurgency in Northeast India. [citation needed]

The NLFT is currently designated as a terrorist organization in India.[3][4]

History

[edit]

With the increased immigration of Bengalis from the Bangladesh and West Bengal in the aftermath of one of the worst ethnic riots, the NLFT was born in 1989 with the backing of the Baptist Church of Tripura.[5] Since then, the NLFT has been advancing its cause through armed rebellion. In its constitution, the organization claims to represent the indigenous population which it claims has been marginalized by "the subjugation policy of imperialist Hindustani (India)"; its constitution makes no mention of any specific religion and claims to extend membership to "any person irrespective of caste, sex or creed".[6] However, some people who have left the NLFT, including former area commander Nayanbashi Jamatia, include animists who are Hindu and animists personal religions and faiths.[7]

The NLFT has been described as engaging in terrorist violence motivated by their.[8] The NLFT is listed as a terrorist organization in the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002.[3] The state government contends that the Baptists of Tripura supply arms and give financial support to the NLFT.[4] In April 2000, according to the state government, the secretary of the Noapara Freedom Front in Tripura, Nagmanlal Halam, was arrested with explosives and confessed that for two years he had been buying explosives for the NLFT.[5] In 2000, the NLFT threatened to kill Hindus celebrating the religious festival of Durga Puja.[9] At least 20 in Tripura have been killed in two years for resisting forced conversion to Christianity.[10] A leader of the Jamatia tribe, Rampada Jamatia, said that armed NLFT militants were forcibly converting tribal villagers to Christianity which he said was a serious threat to peace [10] These forcible conversions back to Christianity sometimes including the use of "rape as a means of intimidation," were noted by academics outside of India in 2007.[8]

In accordance with its stated goal of turning Tripura into the "land of Tripura free of Bengalis", the NLFT has told tribal communities to do act cleansing Tripura from Bengalis. This has caused the Bengali, Jamatia tribesmen and the predominantly animist Reangs to oppose the NLFT.[11]

On August 7, 1998, 4 senior leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were kidnapped by the NLFT, and all 4 of them are now said to be dead.[12]

In early 2000, 16 Bengali Hindus were killed by the NLFT at Gourangatilla. On 20 May 2000, the NLFT killed 25 Bengali Hindus at the Bagber refugee camp.[13] In August 2000, a tribal Hindu spiritual leader, Shanti Kali, was shot dead by about ten NLFT guerrillas who said it wanted to convert all people in the state to Christianity.[14] In December 2000, Labh Kumar Jamatia, a religious leader of the state's second largest Hindu group, was kidnapped by the NLFT, and found dead in a forest in Dalak village in southern Tripura. According to police, rebels from the NLFT wanted Jamatia to convert to Christianity, but he refused.[15] A local Marxist tribal leader, Kishore Debbarma, was clubbed to death in Tripura's Sadar by militants from the Biswamohan faction of the NLFT in May 2005.[16]

In 2001, there were 826 reported terrorist attacks in Tripura, in which 405 people lost their lives and 481 kidnappings were made by the NLFT and related organizations such as the Christian All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTP).[17] Nagmanlal Halam, secretary of the Noapara Baptist Church in Tripura, was arrested for and confessed, under torture from police, to providing munitions and financial aid to the NLFT from 1998 until 2000.[5]

The BBC reported in 2005 that independent investigations as well as confessions from surrendered members showed that the NLFT had been making and selling pornography to finance their activities. [citation needed] This includes DVDs of pornographic films made by the group with tribal men and women kidnapped and forced to participate in sex acts while being filmed. [citation needed] The movies are dubbed into various languages and sold illegally throughout the region for a profit. [citation needed] Statements from former members and one report state that the NLFT has a history of sexually abusing tribal women.[18]

According to the Institute for Conflict Management, approximately 90% of the NLFT's attacks were against Bengali's. [citation needed]

Factions

[edit]

The NLFT was originally started by Dhananjoy Reang, then vice chief Tripura National Volunteers On 12 March 1989 after disagreement with the tripartite agreement signed between TNV, Government of India and Government of Tripura.[19] He initiated the formation of NLFT along with some other disgruntled TNV rebel leaders at Gandatwisa TRIPURA.

He sought the formation of armed wing of NLFT with the name NATIONAL HOLY ARMY in the year 1991 after launching operation Genesis at TAINANI Police station which led to the new phase of Tripuri nationalism which lasted over three decades. Dhananjoy Reang was removed from his position of PRESIDENT by an organised coup by his counterparts due to internal conflict in the year 1993.The group was then first led by Nayanbashi Jamatia and then Biswamohan Debbarma after the split occurred in 2002.

Cited causes of internal conflicts[4] include the reluctance of Biswamohan Debbarma's Central Executive Committee to nominate Joshua Debbarma as the King of ‘Tripura Kingdom’; misappropriation of funds by senior leaders; lavish lifestyles led by the senior leadership; and forcible conversion of tribal cadres/civilians to Christianity. [citation needed][13]

Other leaders of the original NLFT included ‘Vice President’ Kamini Debbarma, ‘Publicity Secretary’ Binoy Debbarma, ‘Chief of Army’ Dhanu Koloi, and ‘Finance Secretary’ Bishnu Prasad Jamatiya. [citation needed]

Biswamohan faction

[edit]

The Biswamohan faction (NLFT/BM) is earlier headed by Biswamohan Debbarma. In May 2017 In a meeting at an undisclosed location, selected Subir Debbarma alias Yamorok (45), as the new 'president' of the organization renaming it as the NLFT SD. It later signed a memorandum of Settlement with Government of India to abide by The Constitution of India & join the mainstream on 10 August 2019.[20]

Upon the surrender of Mantu Koloi, second in command, he requested that Biswamohan Debbarma and Ranjit Debbarma engage in talks with the Government of India to resolve the crisis. This was sparked by the Bangladeshi government's crackdown on hostile groups. The government there were able to do this by extensively searching the Sacherri jungles where the organization had many of its hideouts.[21] However, both leaders vowed to fight on.

[22] This group signed peace pact with Government of India ending decade long insurgency in the presence of president Biswamohan Debbarma and vice president Upendra Reang alias Twijwlang@zerifa [15] as the dignitaries of NLFT(BM) at 4 September 2024 in NEW DELHI.[23]

Nayanbasi faction

[edit]

The Nayanbasi faction has approximately 50 sophisticated weapons, 50 persons in collaboration with the group, and 150 cadres in active duty.[24] In January 2004, the Nayanbasi faction group sent a message to the Additional Director of General Police (ADG) with the intention to start peace talks. These meetings ultimately were not successful. Later that year it peacefully entered into a Memorandum of Settlement with India.[25]

Location

[edit]

The group has been banned from the Indian government since the Unlawful Activities Act of 1967. Therefore, the group operates from its headquarters in Khagrachari, a district in Bangladesh around 45 km from Simanapur.[26] The National Liberation Front of Tripura has the ability to utilize this 856 km of the border that is unfenced and susceptible to invasion.[27]

Attacks

[edit]

The National Liberation Front of Tripura had conducted 81 attacks on various locations in South Asia and specifically in Tripura.[28] Of these 81 attacks, handguns and firearms have been the most common weapon.

During the period 1992–2001, total of 764 civilians and 184 security forces personnel were killed in NLFT attacks, 124 members of the organization were killed in these attacks.[29] Later, during the period 2005–2015, NLFT has been responsible for 317 incidents in which 28 security forces and 62 civilians lost their lives.[30]

Objectives/Ideologies

[edit]

A common ideology within the NLFT was Tripuri Nationalism. This has two components: a Tripura state that is for only the native citizens, and the Bengalis that inhabit Tripura have no political rights or power. Among the leadership and followers of the NLFT, there are a few common objectives that come to the surface when doing analysis on this group. [citation needed]

  1. To liberate Tripura from the union of India
  2. To deport all Indians and Bangladeshis who entered into Tripura after 1947.
  3. To restore alienated tribal lands[31]

Peace Accord

[edit]

Tripura Peace Accord is the tripartite accord signed-in on 10 August 2019 by the Government of India, Government of Tripura and the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) to end the insurgency.

The tripartite memorandum of understanding was signed by Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary (Northeast) of Ministry of Home Affairs, Kumar Alok, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Tripura and Sabir Kumar Debbarma and Kajal Debbarma of NLFT.[32]

On 4 September 2024, the remaining faction of NLFT along with ATTF signed the 2024 Tripura Peace Accord with Government of India, Government of Tripura ending the 35 year old Insurgency in Tripura.[33][34]

Flag

[edit]

The NLFT has its own flag which consists of three colors: green, white, and red. The green portion of the flag symbolizes sovereignty over Tripura, the land to which they lay claim. The white portion of the flag signifies the peace they desire to. The color red represents the revolution and the blood that has been shed in the name of their revolution. The final part of the flag is the star which acts as the guiding light for the Borok during this struggle.[35]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

[14]

  1. ^ "Tripura: Assessment- 2024". SATP. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Indian rebels ban women". 29 November 2002. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b "The Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002". Republic of India. South Asia Terrorism Portal. 2002.
  4. ^ a b c "National Liberation Front of Tripura". South Asia Terrorism Portal.
  5. ^ a b c Bhaumik, Subir (18 April 2000). "Church backing Tripura rebels". BBC News.
  6. ^ "Constitution of The National Liberation Front Of Tripura". South Asia Terrorism Portal.
  7. ^ Subir Bhaumik (2004). Ethnicity, Ideology and Religion: Separatist movements in India's Northeast (PDF). Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. p. 236.
  8. ^ a b Adam, Jeroen; De Cordier, Bruno; Titeca, Kristof; Vlassenroot, Koen (16 October 2007). "In the Name of the Father? Christian Militantism in Tripura, Northern Uganda, and Ambon". Studies in Conflict & Terrorism. 30 (11): 963–983. doi:10.1080/10576100701611288. S2CID 145364791.
  9. ^ "Separatist group bans Hindu festivities". BBC News. 2 October 2000.
  10. ^ a b "Tribals unite against conversions in Tripura". rediff.com. 2 August 2001.
  11. ^ Subir Bhaumik (2004). Ethnicity, Ideology and Religion: Separatist movements in India's Northeast (PDF). Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. p. 236.
  12. ^ Subir Bhaumik (2004). Ethnicity, Ideology and Religion: Separatist movements in India's Northeast (PDF). Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. p. 236.
  13. ^ a b "19 killed in Tripura massacre rerun". The Telegraph. 21 May 2000.
  14. ^ a b "Hindu preacher killed by Tripura rebels". BBC News. 28 August 2000.
  15. ^ a b "Tripura tribal leader killed". BBC News. 27 December 2000. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Rebels kill Tripura CPM leader". Telegraph India. 17 May 2005.
  17. ^ "Conversions with foreign fund". organiser.in. 10 April 2005. Archived from the original on 3 May 2005.
  18. ^ Bhaumik, Subir (27 August 2005). "India rebels 'making porn films'". BBC News.
  19. ^ "The eyewitness : tales from Tripura's ethnic conflict / Manas Paul - Catalogue | National Library of Australia". catalogue.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  20. ^ "Centre signs peace pact with Tripura insurgent outfit NLFT". www.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  21. ^ "NLFT faction seeks talks". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  22. ^ Bhaumik, Subir (6 May 2004). "Tripura rebels surrender". BBC News.
  23. ^ "MHA and Tripura govt signs peace accord with banned outfits of Tripura". The Times of India. 4 September 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  24. ^ "NLFT faction willing for talks with govt". The Times of India.
  25. ^ "Policy for Solving Insurgency Problem in NE" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 18 February 2009.
  26. ^ "National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) (NDFB)". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  27. ^ Corigliano, Kelly Marie (2007). Self-worth theory goes to elementary school: An integrative approach to reading motivation (Thesis). ProQuest 1287104045.
  28. ^ "GTD Search Results". www.start.umd.edu. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  29. ^ Casualties in violence by National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) South Asia Terrorism Portal / Institute for Conflict Management. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  30. ^ National Liberation Front of Tripura signs peace pact to join mainstream Times of India. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  31. ^ "Constitution of National Liberation Front Of Tripura". www.satp.org. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  32. ^ "Peace pact signed with Tripura insurgent group". The Times of India. PTI. 10 August 2019.
  33. ^ "Historic Peace Agreement Signed Between the Governments of India, Tripura, NLFT & ATTF at New Delhi". Northeast Now. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  34. ^ "2 insurgent groups in Tripura sign peace deal; Amit Shah says 'matter of joy for all'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  35. ^ "Tripura (India)". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
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