Adivasi Cobra Force: Difference between revisions

The '''Adivasi Cobra Force''' ([[Abbreviation|abbreviated]] '''ACF'''), also known as the '''Adivasi Cobra Militant Force''' (abbreviated '''ACMF'''), was an militant insurgent group  in [[Lower Assam]], [[India]], with the claimed objective of protecting the [[Adivasi]] people through armed combat.<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><ref>{{cite web|title=Surrendered Adivasi rebels seek interlocutor to start talks|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/articleshow/12060102.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst|publisher=Times Of India|date=24 February 2012}}</ref>

In the late 1990s, Assam was beset by various ethnic riots between [[Bodo people|Bodos]] and [[Santhals]]. The Bodos began joining groups such as the [[National Democratic Front of Bodoland]] and the [[Bodo Liberation Tigers Force]]. In early 1996, over 100 people from both communities were killed in riots.<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1520/15201370.htm Bloodshed in Assam] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022111735/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1520/15201370.htm |date=2007-10-22 }} Frontline — Sep. 26 — Oct. 09, 1998</ref> In response, the Santals, claiming threats to their interests formed many groups with other [[Naga people|Naga]] tribes in the area and the ACF was formed on 7 July 1996.<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=September 30, 2007 }}</ref>

The ACF does not espouse any political ideology nor is it separatist like many other groups in the [[Seven Sister States]]. It claims to be an outlet to protect the tribals who were allegedly "ethnically cleansed" during the 1996 riots from [[Bodo people|Bodo]] organizations. They demand reparations for the [[Santals]] displaced by and killed in the riots and demand that "[[adivasis]]" be recognized as a protected people by the [[Government of India]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20061104061547/http://www.gipe.ernet.in/working%20paper/mitra_working%20paper.pdf Three Essays on the Economics and Finance of Terrorism] — Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics</ref>

Estimates of the number of operatives in the organization range from 100<ref name="SATP" /> to 350.<ref name="MIPT" /> The group operated out of [[Kokrajhar]] and [[Bongaigaon]] districts. The commander of the organization was [[Durga Minz]] and the chairman was [[Xabrias Khakha]]. The other main leader was [[Kandu Murmu]].<ref name="SATP" />

The organization has a large training program in [[Bhutan]]. In 2000, [[Indian Security Forces]] destroyed an ACF camp in [[Kokrajhar]]; however, one year later, they completed a large-scale extortion drive in [[Kokrajhar]], [[Bongaigaon]] and [[Dhubri]] to fund the terror camp in [[Bhutan]].

Their attacks mainly target the [[Assam]]ese government and [[Bodo people|Bodo]] militants.

On 9 September 2001 the group signed a cease-fire with the [[Government of India]] which was to last until January 2002. The ceasefire held until 2004 and was then extended by the [[Government of India]] on 1 July 2004.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040820070039/http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/02/stories/2004070206041101.htm Ceasefire extended] The Hindu — 2 July 2004</ref> In 2005, chairman [[Xabrias Khakha]] said that the ACF was considering becoming a [[List of recognised political parties in India|legitimate political party]] to contest [[Politics of Assam|elections in Assam]].<ref name="MIPT" />