Information on the Uttarakhand separatist movement in the state of Uttar Pradesh, and on the political party Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) [IND23648.E]

According to The Europa World Year Book 1995,

In 1994 a new secessionist movement emerged in Uttar Pradesh demanding the establishment of an autonomous hill state, to be known as "Uttarakhand." Following several outbreaks of violence, curfews were imposed on a number of towns in the state. The Prime Minister held talks with leaders of the separatist movement in September and stressed that a swift solution to the problem, within the framework of the Constitution, should be found as soon as possible (1473).

A UPI report from 4 October 1994 sums up the issues this way:

Protesters from eight hill districts in Uttar Pradesh say the state discriminates against them by enforcing an affirmative action-style program to promote India's so-called backward classes. Uttar Pradesh recently implemented a caste-based hiring quota system, sparking renewed calls for the separate state. Separatist sentiments have long lingered in the Uttarakhand region, which was a part of neighbouring Nepal until the mid 1800s, when it was relinquished to Indian rule under the British raj.

Since 1994 protests and outbreaks of violence have continued in the state over the issue of Uttarakhand. In March 1996, for example, over 100 Uttarakhand separatists were injured in a police baton charge (Reuters 21 Mar. 1996; SCMP 22 Mar. 1996). The separatists were protesting an election speech by the Indian opposition leader Atal Behari Vajpayee (Reuters 21 Mar. 1996; SCMP 22 Mar. 1996). In December 1995 India Abroad reported "men and women are pouring onto streets in nearly daily protests and hundreds of officegoers are boycotting work to spur the movement for the creation of Uttarakhand (The Northern Region)" (1 Dec. 1995, 11). According to the same report, police had used force to end a hunger strike by two activists, and in ensuing clashes between protesters and police 17 people were injured (ibid.). The Press Trust of India (PTI) also reported police baton-charging striking Uttarakhand separatists in October 1995 (3 Oct. 1995).

In October 1994 police allegedly killed 17 separatist protesters and raped at least four women in Muzzafarnagar in a case that has galvanized the separatist movement (ibid.; India Today 31 Oct. 1995). Although the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister initially blocked charges against 10 senior district officials in the incident, in May 1996 criminal cases were filed against more than 75 police officials allegedly involved in "excesses" against Uttarakhand separatists (India Today 31 Oct. 1995; ibid. 15 Mar. 1996, 23).

For more information on the Uttarakhand separatist movement, please see the attached articles.

The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), or "Revolutionary Party," is briefly described in two 1991 reports as a small, regional party in Uttar Pradesh (IPS 20 May 1991; All-India Radio 16 Mar. 1991). Further information on this group could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


All-India Radio [Delhi, in English]. 16 March 1991. "BJP Rules Out Aliance with Parties at National Level." (BBC Summary 18 Mar. 1991/NEXIS)

The Europa World Year Book 1995. 1995. 36th ed. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications Ltd.

India Abroad [Toronto]. 16 February 1996. Neelesh Misra and Sharat Pradhan. "Striving to Overcome Long-Time Obstacles." (NEXIS)

_____. 1 December 1995. Neelesh Misra. "Uttar Pradesh: Demands for Separate Hill State Flare Again." (DIRB Indexed Media Review 28 Nov.- 4 Dec. 1995, Vol. 10, No. 22)

India Today [New Delhi]. 15 March 1996. "Filed."

_____. 31 October 1995. Charulata Joshi. "A Denial of Justice." (DIRB Indexed Media Review 24-30 Oct. 1995, Vol. 10, No. 17)

Inter Press Service (IPS). 20 May 1991. Mahesh Uniyal. "India: Small Parties May Decide New Government." (NEXIS)

Press Trust of India (PTI) [New Delhi, in English]. 3 October 1995. "Internal Affairs: Protestors in Uttar Pradesh Agitate for Separate State." (BBC Summary 5 Oct. 1995/NEXIS)

Reuters. 21 March 1996. BC Cycle. "Hundred Injured in India Election Meeting Violence." (NEXIS)

South China Morning Post (SCMP) [Hong Kong]. 22 March 1996. Rahul Bedi. "Kashmiri Leaders Condemn Election." (NEXIS)

Attachments


All-India Radio [Delhi, in English]. 2 November 1994. "Uttarakhand: Uttar Pradesh: State Government Employees on Strike Demanding Separate State." (BBC Summary 4 Nov. 1994/NEXIS)

India Abroad [Toronto]. 1 December 1995. Neelesh Misra. "Uttar Pradesh: Demands for Separate Hill State Flare Again." (DIRB Indexed Media Review 28 Nov.- 4 Dec. 1995, Vol. 10, No. 22)

India Today [New Delhi]. 15 March 1996. "Filed," p. 23.

_____. Charulata Joshi. "A Denial of Justice." (DIRB Indexed Media Review 24-30 Oct. 1995, Vol. 10, No. 17)

Press Trust of India (PTI) [New Delhi, in English]. 3 October 1995. "Internal Affairs: Protestors in Uttar Pradesh Agitate for Separate State." (BBC Summary 5 Oct. 1995/NEXIS)

_____. 17 November 1994. "Unrest: Uttar Pradesh: Uttarakhand Activists Stage General Strike." (BBC Summary 19 Nov. 1994/NEXIS)

_____. 2 October 1994. "Uttarakhand: Uttar Pradesh: 10 Killed, 150 Injured in Uttarakhand Clash." (BBC Summary 4 Oct. 1994/NEXIS)

_____. 30 September 1994. "Uttarakhand: Rao Meets Uttarakhand Leaders." (BBC Summary 4 Oct. 1994/NEXIS)

Reuters. 21 March 1996. BC Cycle. "Hundred Injured in India Election Meeting Violence." (NEXIS)

_____. 1 September 1994. BC Cycle. "One Dead, Over 100 Hurt in Himalayan Protest." (NEXIS)

United Press International (UPI). 4 October 1994. "Violence Wracks Northern India." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted


CD-ROM search of UN Documents 1944-January 1996.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996.

Political Handbook of the World 1994-95. 1995.

Revolutionary and Dissident Movements. 1993.
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