United People's Democratic Solidarity was formed in March 1999 with the merger of two terrorist outfits in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, the Karbi National Volunteers (KNV) and Karbi People's Front (KPF). The outfit signed a cease-fire agreement for one year with the Union Government on May 23, 2002. However, this led to a split in the UPDS with one faction deciding to continue with its subversive activities while the other commenced negotiations with the Government. Currently, there are two factions: pro-talks and anti-talks. On May 16, 2004, the UPDS (Anti-Talks) rechristened itself as the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) and its armed wing as the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Resistance Force (KNPR). Leadership Kiri Rongphar was the founder ‘chairman’ of the outfit. He was arrested on October 22, 1999. On August 22, 2002, UPDS 'commander-in-chief' Long Kumar Kiling died of injuries sustained during a feline attack in the forests of Karbi Anglong district. Although this has not been proved. After that, the outfit was headed by its Chairman Longder Singner alias H E Kathar and General Secretary Horen Singh Bey. T Nongloda was the outfit's Publicity Secretary and Lindok Ronghang its Finance Secretary. The total cadre strength of the UPDS was estimated to be a little more than 150, of which at least 50 were believed to be armed with sophisticated weapons. Areas of operation The outfit's main area of operations was in the Karbi Anglong district, with a relatively minor presence in Dima Hasao district. Linkages The outfit was known to have grown with the active assistance of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), which provided it with arms and ammunition. It was alsoreported to have procured arms and ammunition from Bhutan and Bangladesh. The UPDS also shared a ‘working relationship’ with the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). Funds Abductions for ransom and extortion were the main sources of income for the UPDS. The outfit generates a considerable amount of revenue by targeting the ginger producing Kukis in the Singhason Hills area. The non-Karbi traders were also targeted for extortion. In some cases, even Karbi's had been the targets. Peace talks The outfit held six rounds of peace talks with the State and Union Government representatives between 2002 and 2006. Tha last round of talks was held on July 26, 2006. Subsequently, the outfit pulled