SUMMARY
In addition to engaging in armed violence against the authorities of India and the state of Assam, the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) has also made use of one-sided violence to further its goals of strengthening the influence of the Karbi community.
Most of the one-sided violence perpetrated by UPDS can be ascribed clear motives and divided into three categories. Firstly, UPDS has chosen to target several non-Karbi ethnic/religious groups in violence, such as Biharis, Bengalis, Dimasas and Kukis. The Biharis and Bengalis, who have migrated to the state of Assam from Bihar state and Bangladesh respectively, are viewed by UPDS as being ‘settlers’ who encroach on Karbi tribal land. They are thus targeted so as to cleanse Karbi lands of intruders. Other tribal groups, such as the abovementioned Dimasas and Kukis, are not viewed as being settlers but are still targeted due to overlapping claims on land and political rivalries over tribal councils (i.e. what tribal groups control what autonomous councils). Both of these types of targets are linked to UPDS' ’ wish for an ethnically dominated Karbi homeland. The same dynamics have laid the foundations for the Karbi community’s non-state conflicts with other tribal communities.
Secondly, UPDS has killed several civilians in actions related to raising revenue. Kidnappings for ransom as well as extortion rackets targeting the lucrative ginger business in Karbi Anglong have reaped many civilian deaths.
Thirdly, UPDS has killed civilians that have been accused of collaborating with the government or police.
Lastly, killings in relation to elections are known to have taken place, as well as killings for which no motive can be clearly derived. The preferred modus operandi has been the use of firearms.
Geographically the bulk of one-sided activity carried out by UPDS takes place in the Karbi Anglong district of the north-eastern Indian state of Assam.
UPDS first became active as a one-sided actor in UCDP data in 2000, when the one-sided violence resulted in over 25 civilian deaths. The threshold was reached in late December of that year when attacks by the group in Karbi Anglong district had resulted in 27 deaths.
