Why NLFT is the worst militant outfit in the northeast India?

By Tejang Chakma


According to the Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 in non-international armed conflict situation, each Party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions:

      “(1) Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed ' hors de combat ' by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.

To this end, the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons:

(a) violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture;

(b) taking of hostages;

(c) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment;

(d) the passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples.”

Further, Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts of 8 June 1977, among others, prohibits “(e) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, rape, enforced prostitution and any form of indecent assault; and (g) pillage.”

Even a cursory reading of the provisions of the Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions and its Optional Protocol suggests that the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), a militant outfit in Tripura, made a mockery of the provisions.

The National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) was formed on 12 March 1989 with the purported objective to establish an ‘independent’ Tripura through an armed struggle and furtherance of a ‘distinct and independent identity’. Since inception, the NLFT suffered from internal conflicts owing to various issues including leadership differences, lavish lifestyles of senior leadership, among others, resulting in splits. 

The NLFT was banned in April 1997 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, due to its involvement in terrorist and subversive activities. For furtherance of their so-called objective, a report indicated that the Nayanbasi Jamatiya faction of the NLFT and another outfit All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) joined hands under code name "Operation Roukhala (deportation)" purportedly to ‘drive out’ Bengali immigrants settled in Tripura after 15 October 1949. Many non-tribals were killed and abducted by the NLFT, while political activists, irrespective of their ethnic origins, belonging to ruling CPI-M were repeatedly targeted.

Violence is the only objective of the NLFT. Non-tribals or tribals, all are equally targeted. The abuses committed by NLFT are endless. From the beginning, the NLFT has shown scant respect for international humanitarian law. They engaged themselves in violent acts which included kidnappings, extortion, killings including mass murders, rapes, and bombings. 

The brutal face of NLFT can be seen from its high number of serious crime against women and children. In fact, the NLFT is worst among its other counterparts in the north east region in this regard. There were several instances, when women and children were raped, killed, and subjected to ill-treatment. For example, six Chakma tribal women, including two minor girls, were gang raped by the NLFT militants in front of their family members at Baisyaram Karbaripara, a Chakma dominated tribal village in Chhwamanu in Dhalai district in March 2004. The NLFT was even accused of producing pornographic films by using its female cadres to funds its terror activities and that the female cadres were sexually abused in the camps by their male counterparts were confirmed by the female surrendered cadres.

Over the years, several of its cadres realized that violence can never be a solution and started surrendering. However, the NLFT targeted its surrendered cadres and killed many of them including their innocent family members in retaliation. This did not, however, deter them from surrendering to lead a peaceful life. As its strength started dwindling due to surrender of its cadres, the NLFT has increasingly been resorting to kidnapping of innocent poor people, including tribals for whom they claim to represent, for extortion to fund its terror activities and as a desperate attempt to make its presence felt. In fact, kidnapping for ransom by the NLFT has become a common occurrence in Tripura. The recent kidnapping of 8 Chakma tribals on July 19, 2011, whose whereabouts are still unknown, for ransom is an example. On its part, the state government's episodic response failed to stop the recurring menace. 

The NLFT has no public sympathy; they are despised by all communities, including the tribals. They are the worst militant outfit in the northeast region and they have no words called "Human Rights" in their dictionary.