Kuki Revolutionary Army

Formation

The Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) was formed in December 1999, allegedly with the support of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM).

In August 2007, the KRA underwent a split with the formation of the KRA-Unification in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

Leadership and cadre strength

Its top leaders include: Chairman - Thangkeng Hangshing, Publicity Secretary - Zet Kuki and Information Secretary - D.T. Haokip. On November 12, KRA Chairman Thangkeng Hangshing was killed by unidentified persons at the residence of his brother David at Sriniwaspuri in the national capital Delhi.

The KRA, before the formation of the Unification faction, was believed to have about 450 cadres of which about 180 of them were based in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

The KRA-Unification is headed by its President David Chongloi and General Secretary, W Lincoln. Ch Rocky is the outfit's Defence Secretary, K H Hills is the Finance Secretary and Ch Lenin, its Publicity Secretary.

The cadre strength of the KRA-Unification faction is not known. However, it is believed that about 150 KRA cadres based in the Karbi Anglong district have joined the faction.

Aims and Objectives

The primary objective of the KRA is to secure a “separate State” for the Kuki tribe within the Indian union and the unification of all scattered Kukis in the new homeland. In Assam, its declared objective is the creation of the “Kuki National Council”, an autonomous administrative council for the Kukis in the Karbi Anglong district. The KRA-Unification, on the other hand, aims at unifying the Kuki tribals.

Areas of Operation

Area of operation of the KRA includes parts of the Churachandpur, Chandel and Senapati districts in Manipur, and also the Kuki-inhabited areas of the Karbi Anglong district in Assam. The KRA-Unification, on the other hand, primarily functions in the Karbi Anglong district.

Linkages

The KRA maintains linkages with several militant outfits of the Northeast that includes: United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF), Kuki National Front - Military Council (KNF-MC), NSCN-IM, National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and Dima Halim Daogah (DHD).

Incidents

2008

• July 11: One KRA militant is killed by the Imphal East district police at Kairang Umang Lai under Heingang police station. A hand grenade along with some incriminating documents is recovered from his possession.

• June 20 : At least 500 villagers of Waakan area of Sadar Hills under Saikul police station in the Senapati district have fled from their respective homes and are taking shelter near Purum Likli and Champhai villages since June 16, after nearly 200 cadres of KRA and KNA took up positions for a gun-battle in the area.

• June 15: Two suspected KRA cadres, Sakhochong Hangsing and Lhanglein Hangshing, were arrested by IRB personnel at Koirengei old air field along the National Highway-39 on June 15. 102 rounds of live AK ammunition were recovered from their possession.

• June 12 : Three KNA cadres are killed during a factional clash with the KRA at Molkon village under Saikul police station in the Senapati district. An India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel, Paokholun Lhungdim, is reported to have been killed in the crossfire.

• June 12 : The shopkeepers protest at Pangei bazar in the Imphal East district against the monetary demands made by militant groups at some shops and women vendors two weeks back. One shopkeeper says that some weeks ago the KRA demanded INR 300000 each from three shops at Pangei. The monetary demands were also made several times from other militant groups.

• June 9: Two KNA cadres and one KRA cadre are killed during a factional clash between two outfits at Molkon village under Saikul police station in the Senapati district. One KRA cadre also sustains injuries in the clash. Hundreds of villagers from Molkol village and its surrounding areas in Saikhul left their homes following the clashes. Out of around 500 villagers who are taking refuge in five churches in Saikhul area, as many as 300 are women.

• May 25: Four KLA militants, identified as Kamlen Dimngel, Mangkholal Doungel, Laljang Khongsai and Doukhohel Touthang, and one KRA cadre, Langkholel Chongloi, are killed during an internecine clash at New Saikhul under Saikhul police station in the Senapati district.

• May 17: Two KRA cadres, Paominlien Haokip and Jacob Jangchin, and two cadres of the Prithvi faction of the KNF, identified as Thangjalien and Minthang, are arrested by the Army personnel from Chalwa village under Kangpokpi sub-division in the Senapati district.

• May 6: A contractor, N. Kumar Singh, engaged in the black topping of the National Highway-39 at Kangpokpi in the Senapati district, is abducted by suspected KRA militants. Police suspect that extortion could be a motive for the abduction.

• May 3: One KRA cadre, Rolex Misao, is shot dead by the KLA militants at Saikul area in the Senapati district.

• April 29: Assam Rifles and Manipur Police personnel arrest one KRA militant, Paojalen Singson, while trying to abduct a person, Yaipirel, at Kangpokpi in the Senapati district.

• April 25 : One unidentified KRA cadre is shot dead by a combined team of police commandos of the Imphal East and Imphal West districts during an encounter at Khurai Sajor Leikai Mamang Loubuk in the Imphal East district. While another militant manages to escape, one unexploded hand grenade is recovered from the slain militant.

• April 23: The principal and the secretary of SFS School located at Daili village in Kangpokpi and the headman of the village are abducted by suspected KRA cadres from their respective residences at gun-point. Militants also reportedly inflicted physical torture on the abducted persons.

• March 18: The president of the Kuki Revolutionary Army-Unification (KRA-U), Seitnmang Chongloi, along with three others, who were allegedly involved in the murder of KRA founder member and commander-in-chief K Hangsing in New Delhi in November 2007, are killed by the KRA militants at Saikhul in Senapati district. The killed persons include Bungkholal Chongloi, who contested in the Assembly elections twice from the Kangpokpi constituency and was also a retired jailer, Paochang Chongloi and Nehjahan Chongloi.

• March 14: Two dead bodies were recovered by Lamshang police from a place at Phayeng Ching under Saikhul police station in the Senapati district. Police suspect that the highly decomposed bodies might be of KRA militants who went missing since March 1.

• February 22: Five KRA militants, including an old man and four child recruits, are abducted and subsequently killed by suspected militants of the KLA at an unspecified place along the road leading to Thangal Surung from Ekou Bazar under Saikul police station of Senapati district. The slain militants are identified as Hanpau Chongloi, Public Relations Officer of the KRA, Pouginlal Hangsing, Lamgoumang Louvum, Jangmilal Hangsing, and Seigoulen Khongsai. A vehicle hijacked by the slain militants is also set ablaze by the suspected KLA cadres in the incident site.

• February 19: Two officials of the Tribal Development Corporation, assistant engineer Bhagat Singh and section officer Premchand Singh, are abducted by the KRA militants in the Senapati district. The KRA demanded an unspecified amount from the department.

• January 13: Eight militants of the Manipur-based KRA are arrested along with arms and ammunition from a house at Notun Bosti in the Dimapur district of Nagaland. They were later identified as Rabi Kumar, Ojit Kumar, Ricky Rajkumar, Min-thang Kuki, Tomba Singh, Lokho Mao, Ranbir Singh, and Anjali. Police recover one .32 pistol with 50 live cartridges, two magazines, six mobile handsets, one digital camera, one still camera, ten CDs and a cash of Rs.45,000 from their possession. Later on the basis of the information provided by them, one Reivei Poumai was arrested along with one AK 56 rifle and one live cartridge of 7.65 Pistol.

• January 8: One former UNLF cadre, Wakhem Purnachandra Singh, is killed by the KRA militants at his residence at Kairang Litan Makhong under Heingang police station in the Imphal East district. Th. Misao, 'information and publicity secretary' of the KRA, said that the outfit "punished" Purnachandra for his involvement in the killing of a senior leader, Khuplam Hangsing, in Delhi on November 12, 2007.

2007

• December 29: The KRA accuses the newly formed KRA-Unification for the killing of its "commander-in-chief" K. Hangsing at New Delhi in November. L. Jacob, "home secretary" of the outfit, says "They (KRA (U) are solely responsible for the murder of our supremo". The KRA-Unification refutes the accusation.

• December 20: One faction of the KRA, identified as called Kuki Revolutionary Army–Unification (KRA-U), started its operation in Saikul area in the Senapati district since August 21. The new faction was formed under the leadership of founder members of the KRA, David Chongloi, Rocky and Sehkkam. A meeting of the ‘central committee’ of the outfit unanimously elected David Chongloi as its ‘president’, W. Lincoln as ‘general secretary’, Ch. Rocky as ‘defence secretary’, Kh. Hills as ‘finance secretary’ and Ch. Lenin as ‘publicity secretary’. David Chongloi, addressing media persons in an unspecified place in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam, said that the main objective of the outfit was to bring about unification and work towards achieving the common goal. He says the KRA-U would work for the welfare of Kukis, Meiteis and other communities, and sought the cooperation and support of all the communities in the activities of the outfit.

• November 27: Four KRA militants, Lairenlakpam Kumar Singh alias Eteicha, Lairenlakpam Panao alias Inao, Jamthang Touthang alias Ningthan and Letmang Touthang alias Mang, are arrested from different places in the Imphal West district. One extortion note and one mobile handset are recovered from their possession.

• November 12: The chief of the KRA, identified as Thangkeng Hangshing, was killed by unidentified persons at the residence of his brother David at Sriniwaspuri in the national capital Delhi. "The attackers are yet to be identified. We have recovered a blood-stained hammer from the house," said an unnamed Delhi Police officer. Hangshingh was killed while reportedly staying along with five others, including David, at the top floor of the building.

• November 9: Two KRA militants, Kangujam Shanta and Thoudam Ingocha Singh, are arrested during a search operation at Lamlong area in the Imphal East district. They joined the outfit in September 2007. Another KRA cadre, Touthang, is arrested from New Checkon area in the same district. He is reported to have joined the outfit in October 2007.

• October 29: Sentinel reports that the KRA outfit has said to release three public health engineering department engineers, who are abducted and kept in confinement, after an 'investigation' into the developmental activities in the hilly areas. Meanwhile, people demonstrate at Khongman and Lamphel areas against the abduction and bomb attack at the residence of one person, Mayengbam Jiteswar Singh, at Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai. A girl is reportedly wounded in the October 22-bomb attack. In the Khongman area, the demonstration is jointly organised by Khongman Students' Club and local Meira Paibis (women association).

• October 25: One KNA cadre, Lalboi, is killed by KRA militants during a factional clash at Khamenlok under Saikul police station in the Senapati district.

• October 20: Three KRA militants, Laikhuram Loninchandra alias Inaocha Singh, Laikhuram Hitler alias Momo Singh and Thounaojam Ibungobi Singh, are arrested from different parts of the State capital Imphal. They were working under the command of one Thounaojam Ibungobi Singh, an active cadre of the KRA. One extortion letter of the KRA amounting INR 5 lakhs addressed to Miky is seized from Laikhuram Hitler.

• October 12: Three staff members of the State Public Health Engineering are abducted by suspected KRA militants in connection with an extortion demand from Moirangpurel area in the Imphal West district. They were identified as executive engineer Laishram Ibomcha Singh of Kwakeithel Moirang Purel, assistant engineer Okram Meino Meitei of Okram Chuthek and section officer Ningombam Open Singh of Bashikhong.

• October 11: An official of the Manipur Diesel and two truck drivers are abducted by suspected KRA militants from the area between Kangpokpi and Keithelmanbi along the National Highway-39.

• September 27: Two KRA militants are killed and three others injured in a gun battle with the KLA cadres at Khupibung village under Saikul police station in the Senapati district. Approximately 45 KLA militants were 'patrolling' at Khupibung when around 25 KRA cadres opened fire towards them. Immediately, the KLA cadres cordoned off the area and retaliated.

• October 20: Three KRA cadres, Laikhuram Loninchandra alias Inaocha Singh, Laikhuram Hitler alias Momo Singh and Thounaojam Ibungobi Singh, are arrested from different parts of the State capital Imphal. They were working under the command of one Thounaojam Ibungobi Singh, an active cadre of the KRA. One extortion letter of the KRA amounting INR 5 lakhs addressed to Miky is seized from Laikhuram Hitler.

• October 12: Three staff members of the State Public Health Engineering are abducted by suspected KRA militants in connection with an extortion demand from Moirangpurel area in the Imphal West district. They are identified as executive engineer Laishram Ibomcha Singh of Kwakeithel Moirang Purel, assistant engineer Okram Meino Meitei of Okram Chuthek and section officer Ningombam Open Singh of Bashikhong.

• October 11: An official of the Manipur Diesel and two truck drivers are abducted by suspected KRA militants from the area between Kangpokpi and Keithelmanbi along the National Highway-39.

• September 27: Two KRA militants were killed and three others injured in a gun battle with the KLA cadres at Khupibung village under Saikul police station in the Senapati district. Approximately 45 KLA militants were 'patrolling' at Khupibung when around 25 KRA cadres opened fire towards them. Immediately, the KLA cadres cordoned off the area and retaliated.

• July 28: Police arrested two KRA cadres, Sapam Ibomcha alias Hemanta and Senjam Kanta, at Sekmai Keithel under Sekmai police station in the Thoubal district.

• July 27: Police arrested three KRA cadres, Mayengbam Bomcha, B. Priyokumar Sharma and Waengbam Korou, said to be involved in the murder of a security guard, Gurumayum Dharmo Sharma, of the Manipur Diesels automobile agency on July 14 at Brahmapur Nahabam Leikai in the Imphal East district. Police also recovered a .38 pistol with magazine from his possession.

• July 23: SFs arrested two KRA cadres, identified as Surensangbam Sanayaima alias Jack and Waikhom Shamo, at Palace Gate area in the Imphal East district.

• July 15: A youth, identified as Gurumayum Dharmo Sharma, who is serving as security guard at the Manipur Diesel Limited, is reportedly assaulted by two unidentified KRA cadres at Mantripukhri in the Imphal East district on July 14-night. He succumbed to his injuries a day later.

• May 31: One SF personnel, identified as R. Tangkhul, is killed during clashes with the KRA militants at Gangpizang village in the Senapati district. May 13: Troops of Assam Rifles killed a KRA cadre, identified as Yangkholun Hangsing, at Mongyang village in the Senapati district.

• April 28: Police personnel arrested two top ranking KRA cadres, identified as Thanglem Haokip alias Athang and Chunglinlun Shingsit alias Boboi, along with three other cadres identified as David, Poujang Hanshing and Sheikam Chongloi, in the Dimapur district.

• April 18: The Imphal East district police, in raids carried out in the Soibam Leikai area, arrested two KRA cadres, Ishorchand Mayengbam and Maibam Abung, who confessed that they extorted a sum of INR 1, 00,000 from the Kanan Devi Memorial School Pangei in January 2007, a sum of INR 4,000, along with three mobile phones from the industry office in the Imphal East and a sum of INR 11,000 along with four mobile phones from civilians in the Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal area.

• April 5: Police personnel arrested two suspected KRA cadres, identified as Athokpam Rajan Singh and Nanao Singh, and recovered one 9-mm pistol with five live rounds, three gelatin sticks, nine electric detonators, money receipts, writing pads, stamp seals, two mobile phones and one wireless local loop at Thahekhu in the Dimapur district.

• February 5: Two Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) militants, identified as Manga Chongloi and Lenthang Tuboi alias Bempu, were arrested by Imphal West district police commandos during a search operation at Paona International Market.

2005

• September 14, 2005: Eight Karbi civilians are killed and several others sustain injuries as suspected KRA militants open indiscriminate fire at Thekerajan village in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

• January 12, 2005: A combined team of the UKLF and KRA cadres kill the ‘chief’ of the Kuki National Army (KNA), Vipin Haokip, during an internecine clash at Diyang in the Churachandpur district of Manipur.

2004

• May 4, 2004: At least seven KRA cadres are killed during an encounter with the troops near Moinam village in the Ukhrul district of Manipur.

• March 24, 2004: KRA militants kill at least 33 Karbi villagers at three separate places in the Karbi Anglong district.

• March 16, 2004: Three members of a family are killed by suspected KRA cadres at Thailung village in the Karbi Anglong district.

• February 12, 2004: Three KRA cadres are killed during an encounter with the security force (SF) personnel at Saijong village in the Karbi Anglong district.

• December 3, 2003: KRA cadres kill three Karbi villagers at Mansing Teron village under Manja police outpost in the Karbi Anglong district.
  
  Two KRA cadres are killed in an encounter with the SFs at Julium under Manja police station limits in the Karbi Anglong district.

• December 2, 2003: Three Karbis are killed and twenty-nine houses are set ablaze by the KRA at Mentarang village under Diphu police station limits in the Karbi Anglong district.

• December 1, 2003: KRA cadres kill five Karbi villagers in an attack on a church at Zero Point under Bokajan police station jurisdiction in the Karbi Anglong district.

• November 29, 2003: KRA militants kill seven Karbi villagers and set 250 ablaze dwelling huts at the Paksangso, Rongkini, Zilangso, Bey Gaon, Napak Terang and Ringhang villages under Bokajan police station limits in the Karbi Anglong district.

• September 14, 2003: SF personnel kill three KRA cadres during an encounter near Senaikathel in the Ukhrul district.

• August 9, 2003: SFs rescue the former Commissioner of Education, Hangsing, from the hideout of NSCN-IM and KRA near Thumion Khullen village in the Senapati district.