The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) is one of the oldest insurgent groups in India's "Seven Sisters" region, a troubled area made up of seven small northeastern states with a long history of isolation, and resistance to Indian federal rule.  The UNLF is primarily based in the state of Manipur and its goal is to establish an independent Manipur nation with a socialist government. <P><br /><br />The UNLF was established in 1964 as a non-violent organization dedicated to Manipuri secession and the implementation of socialist principles.  The group evolved out of an older secessionist group, the Manipur Red Guards, whose revolt against federal rule was suppressed in the early 1950s.  UNLF is made up of ethnic Meiteis, the largest ethnic group in Manipur, which is one of the most diverse states in India.  To that end, the UNLF is as much an ethnic organization as it is a socialist one. <P><br /><br />Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the group remained mostly peaceful, although UNLF members allegedly underwent military training in Bangladesh and China.  It was not until 1990 that the group openly stated that they would take up arms in order to achieve their goal of an independent Manipur.  The group formed the Manipur People's Army (MPA) as an armed wing, and since that time, the UNLF has launched numerous attacks against Indian Army and security personnel. <P><br /><br />At the same time that the UNLF initiated violence against Indian federal rule, the group also began a "social reformation campaign" in Manipur.  During the 1990s the UNLF took vigilante action against alcoholism, drug abuse, gambling, and other crime.  Taking the law into its own hands, the UNLF even claimed to have executed over 50 rapists. <P><br /><br />In addition to attacks on Indian security forces and its vigilante campaign, ideological splits between UNLF members, and ethnic differences with other Manipuri insurgent groups, have led to a great deal of violence.  Although known for its ethnic diversity, Manipur is also famous for its diversity of violent insurgent groups, with dozens of organizations thought to be operating within the state.  Some of the groups in Manipur are simply protection outfits for various ethnic factions, while others have a more ideological bent.  In any case, the sheer number of these violent groups in such a small area has led to a number of vicious conflicts, many which involve the UNLF.   <P><br /><br />In that vein, the UNLF split in the early 1990s over various ideological issues, with the splinter faction eventually forging an alliance with other insurgents to form the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), an organization more focused on social reform.  Fighting between the UNLF and the KYKL led to hundreds of deaths before the two groups eventually brokered a truce in 2001.  In addition, the UNLF has waged a long war with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM).  The NSCN-IM is made up of ethnic Naga peoples, a sizeable minority group in Manipur.  Conflict between the NSCN-IM and UNLF was due to NSCN-IM's goal of a greater "Nagaland," which would include several districts of Manipur.  <P><br /><br />In addition to conflict with other insurgent groups, the UNLF also supports and is supported by several organizations including the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang, and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).  In 1999, the UNLF joined together with the Revolutionary People's Front and the Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak to form the Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), a united umbrella organization.  At times the UNLF has claimed attacks under the MPLF banner.  In addition to support from a myriad of separatist groups, the UNLF funds its activities through extortion, gun-running, and smuggling.  <br />