View source for Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Refimprove|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox war faction
|name = Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front
|native_name =
|native_name_lang =
|war = the [[Insurgency in Northeast India]]
|image = [[File:Flag of Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front.svg|border|200px]]
|caption = Flag of the Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front
|active= {{Start date|2004|5|16|df=yes}} – {{End date|2021|2|23|df=yes}} ({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|year1=2004|month1=5|day1=16}})|leaders = Pradip Terang (Pongbi Dilli)<br>Men Sing Tokbi (Willingson Timung)<br>Thong Teron
|ideology = [[Karbi people|Karbi]] [[self-determination]]<br>(''Hemprek Kangthim'')
|partof =
|predecessor =
|successor =
|headquarters =
|area = [[Assam]], [[India]]
* [[Dima Hasao district]]
* [[Karbi Anglong district]]
|size = 100<ref name="SATP">{{cite web|title=Adivasi Cobra Force (ACF)|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/terrorist_outfits/acf.htm|website=www.satp.org}}</ref>–350<ref name="MIPT">{{cite web|title=Adivasi Cobra Force (ACF) |url=http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4635 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930034433/http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4635 |archivedate=30 September 2007 }}</ref>
|allies =
|opponents = {{flag|India}}
|battles = [[Insurgency in Northeast India]]
|website =
}}

'''Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front''' was a militant group operating in [[Karbi Anglong district]] and [[Dima Hasao district]] (formerly known as the North Cachar Hills district) of [[Assam]], [[India]]. Thong Teron was the general secretary of KLNLF. Karbi Anglong NC Hills People's Resistance was the armed wing of the organization.<ref>[http://www.nagalandpage.co.in/7.html ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710062133/http://www.nagalandpage.co.in/7.html |date=10 July 2007 }}</ref> KLNLF emerged from the [[United People's Democratic Solidarity]], being the anti-peace talks faction of UDPS. After the split, there has been turf wars between the two groups.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/2004/09/15/stories/2004091506321200.htm| title=National : Karbi militants call for strike|date=15 September 2004|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|accessdate=2 September 2018}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In July 2008, the Assam government estimated that KLNLF had a membership of 225.<ref>[http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/08july19/national.htm ''DailyExcelsior'']. {{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> KLNLF is closely linked to the [[United Liberation Front of Asom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-usual-suspects/379545/|title=THE USUAL SUSPECTS|publisher=Indianexpress.com|accessdate=8 April 2015}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/terrorist_outfits/KLNLF.HTM|title=Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) - Terrorist Group of Assam|publisher=Satp.org|accessdate=8 April 2015}}</ref>
6 December is the foundation day of KLNLF.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/07/stories/2008120756880100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210010820/http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/07/stories/2008120756880100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 December 2008|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=Nine injured in Assam market blast|date=2008-12-07|accessdate=8 April 2015}}</ref>

On 23 February 2021, KLNLF  was disbanded. All its members surrendered to state government.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-militant-wanted-for-multiple-killings-returns-from-myanmar-to-surrender-101614094611573-amp.html|title=Assam militant wanted for multiple killings returns from Myanmar to surrender|date= 23 February 2021|publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

==Objectives==
The outfit claimed to fight for the cause of [[Karbi people|Karbi]] tribes and its declared objective was Hemprek Kangthim, meaning self-rule/self-determination of the [[Karbi people]].

==Leadership, cadre and area of operation==
Pradip Terang alias Pongbi Dilli is the ‘Chairman’ of the outfit. Har Sing Timung was the General Secretary till 2 January 2005, when he resigned from his position following serious differences with the ‘Commander-in-Chief’ Men Sing Takbi alias Willingson Timung. Laden Ronghang is the ‘Publicity Secretary’ of the group and ‘Incharge Central Publicity Cell’ is Thong Teron alias Rupsing Teron. The Assistant Foreign Secretary/ Revenue/Finance/Taxation of the outfit is Biren Lekthe alias Risso Tokbi.

The outfit had around 200 militants operating in the [[Karbi Anglong district]]. The KLNLF Commander-in-Chief, Willingson Timung, was killed along with two other cadres by the General Secretary, Hor Sing Timung, on 2 February 2005. Later on 29 April 2005, Hor Sing Timung along with other four associates was executed by the outfit at a camp in [[Bangladesh]] for their involvement in the murder of Timung.

While the group’s stronghold was  [[Karbi Anglong district]], its presence had also been reported from [[Dima Hasao district|Dima Hasao]] and [[Nagaon district|Nagaon]] districts.

==Linkage==
The outfit maintained close links with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). The ULFA’s ‘709th battalion’ operated out of two major bases in Karbi Anglong, with the KLNLF providing it with logistic support in return for weapons and ammunition.

It also reportedly had links with the Nagaland-based [[National Socialist Council of Nagaland]] - Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM). On 11 May 2004, 31 KLNLF militants along with five NSCN-IM militants were arrested from a bus on the Paren-Ghaspani Road on their way to [[Dimapur]]. These militants had undergone training at a NSCN-IM camp and were reportedly part of the recent batch that passed out from there. On 13 October 2007, security forces neutralized a joint camp of the NSCN-IM and KLNLF inside Kaki Reserve Forest area in the [[Karbi Anglong district]].

==Funds==
Abductions for ransom and extortion were the main sources of funds for the group. According to official sources, the outfit generated a considerable amount of revenue by targeting the ginger producing [[Kuki people|Kukis]] in the Singhason Hills area. The non-Karbi Hindi – speaking traders are also targeted for extortion. In some cases, even the [[Karbi people|Karbi]]s were targeted for extortion.

==See also==
* [[Insurgency in Northeast India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Politics of Assam]]
[[Category:Secessionist organizations]]
[[Category:Paramilitary organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Assam]]
[[Category:Terrorism in Assam]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in Assam]]
[[Category:Insurgency in Northeast India]]
[[Category:Political organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Rebel groups in India]]
[[Category:Karbi Anglong district]]