Truce with Adivasi Cobra Militant Force extended

Guwahati, July 15 (UNI) The current ceasefire agreement between the Asom government and Adivasi Cobra Militant Force (ACMF) was extended by another year, with effect from this month, official sources today said.

The ACMF was launched in 1996 in the wake of riots between ethnic Santhals and Bodos in Kokrajhar district of the state.

Angry over the Santhal's 'privileged' economic status (gained from working the plantations), Bodos allegedly killed several hundred Santhals, in what was termed as an 'ethnic cleansing'.

In response, several Santhal and other tribal military outfits were formed to retaliate attacks from Bodo groups such as the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). One of these Adivasi militant groups was the ACMF.

The outfit is led by Durga Minz as its commander while other senior members include Xabrias Khakha and Kandu Murmu. Initially formed in Kokrajhar district, it subsequently spread its activities to the Bongaigaon and Dhubri districts.

Financed primarily through the extortion of local villagers and businesses, the group reportedly received funding and training from other larger insurgent groups such as the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), based in neighbouring north Bengal.

The strength of ACMF had been estimated between 100-350 armed men.

The group had by and large upheld the 2001 ceasefire agreement, and several rounds of negotiations had been held with the Central government to answer the ACMF's grievances.

In May, 2005, Xabrias Khakha announced that the group was considering entering the political realm as a legitimate party.

However, the announcement is yet to materialised.

Like ACMF, few other militant groups in ceasefire mode at present include the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD), the NDFB and the United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS).

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