SUMMARY
The region of north-east India, surrounded by Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar (Burma), is host to a selection of different ethnicities (Dimasa, Hmar, Karbi, Zeme, etc.) and a mosaic of religious affiliations. After the independence from the British Empire in 1947, ethnic sentiments rose amongst the tribes in the Northeast. Regions such as Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura have become arenas of ethnic tension and conflicts due to similar demands regarding the claims of land. The British colonialism was perceived as a national encroachment as taxes and administrative fees were imposed on the various tribes. For a long time, language has been the paramount mean of distinction between the ethnicities in the region. When the Assamese became the official and compulsory language in north-east India, ethnic smoldering threatened the stability of the area.
KRA (Kuki Revolutionary Army) is allegedly representing the demands of the Kuki people, an ethnic group that has been involved in non-state conflict against several other groups inhabiting the area (see the Kuki - Naga and the Kuki - Paite conflicts respectively). One of the rivaling ethnic groups in the region is the Karbi group, represented by UPDS (United Peoples Democratic Solidarity). The conflict between the two ethnic groups has also “spilled over” to the civilian Karbi population. There are two main reasons for the violence against Karbi civilians. First, the conflict is part of the general ethnic tension in the region. Second, there is a rivalry regarding the illicit economic activities. The Kuki population is in the majority in the Singhason Hills district but is only reaches 15 % in Manipur district. Extortion of ginger traders by Kuki as well as Karbi has fuelled the conflict and ignited renewed ethnic animosity between the two tribes, which has rendered a targeting of Karbi civilians by KRA.
The incompatibility which has led to the one-sided violence committed by KRA targeting Karbi civilians is based on narcotics-trade and the issue of territorial supremacy.
KRA first became active as a one-sided actor in UCDP data in 2004, when the one-sided violence resulted in over 25 civilian deaths. The threshold was reached in March that year when Kuki rebels attacked Karbi villagers in Karbi Anglong district.
