Where is Nathan Bom now what is his source of power

Special Correspondent: Nathan Bom was born and brought up in the family of Anton. Then he graduated in Fine Arts from Dhaka University. He also went to some European countries. He used to claim to his friends that he also took a diploma in fine arts from England.
After completing his university studies, he tried and failed to get a job in an international organization. It causes anger. He also wrote books in English. Tried to get involved in tourism business. That too was not profitable. Once an NGO. In the meantime, he formed an armed organization with the cooperation of various circles. That armed organization Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) has now become a terror to the people of Chittagong Hill Tracts. The question is, how did Nathan Bom get the resources to build this armed organization from a remote area? Where is the source of his power? Where is he now?
In this age of artificial intelligence or AI, when small armed groups or insurgencies are almost lost, many question the feasibility of conducting such operations in a very small area. Many also point to Nathan Baum’s ambitious character.
The family situation was never very good. Still, this family and the fact that he got the opportunity to study at Dhaka University from a minority ethnic group made many in the area proud.
“The boy is quite ambitious and stubborn in many cases. I could sense it long ago. But when these terrorist acts started in the name of the new state creation movement, the matter became clearer’ – the words of Nathan Bom, the head of the armed organization Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, were speaking about the words of another hill man who is two years older than him from Dhaka University.
He helped Nathan to do almost everything related to his admission to Fine Arts Institute of Dhaka University. He does everything possible to ensure that a student from a backward community gets an opportunity to study in an institution like Dhaka University. He also said that for the admission of Nathan in Dhaka University, from the then Vice-Chancellor, several teachers of the University provided additional support. After admission, Nathan at one point did not have much contact with this man. After learning about the formation of an armed organization called KNF, he warned him through people, but Nathan did not pay attention to them.
Nathan Bam is a member of the fifth Bam population in Chittagong Hill Tracts. Almost all of this ethnic group are Christians. Nathan’s ancestral home on Edenpara road in Ruma upazila of Bandarban district. The family situation was never very good. Still, this family and the fact that he got the opportunity to study at Dhaka University from a minority ethnic group made many in the area proud.
Nathan Bom was associated with Pahari Chhatra Parishad during his student life. He was also the local level leader of this JSS-backed student body. In addition to this, he lived with his artwork. Ads by
A resident of Nathan’s area, Nathan’s uncle, said, ‘Nathan never thought that he would end up in such a terrible situation. Some of his actions seemed strange. I used to hear that he was forming a group by gathering the youth of the area. I didn’t care much at first. But when his movements looked a little suspicious, I personally requested him not to go this way. But he was greedy for big money. That finished him. Now the people of the entire Bam nation are going through a transitional period for him.
Nathan Bom was associated with Pahari Chhatra Parishad during his student life. He was also the local level leader of this JSS-backed student body. Along with this, he lived with his artwork. Bust of JSS founder Manvendra Narayan Larma at Chengi Square, Bandarban by Nathan Bom along with Munni Dewan. However, at one stage he also left the JSS.
After education
From secondary school to university level, Nathan’s studies were interrupted several times. Then he finally graduated. After returning to the area, new development activities have started in Chittagong Hill Tracts. It was led by the United Nations Development Program or UNDP. Nathan lobbied hard to work at that institution. But he did not get this job. This makes him very angry. A close friend of Nathan said that some Chakma youth got the job. Nathan felt that he was not given the job because of his ethnic minority. Chakmaras are outnumbered, so they got the opportunity. Because of this, Nathan became somewhat hostile towards the Chakmas.
Not getting a job, Nathan built a resort near the neighborhood. That business closed after a few days. After that, many people saw him rummaging through religious books. While doing all this, he met some religious gurus of Mizoram. Nathan also went to Europe with their help. He told his friends that he did two diplomas there. But many people cannot tell its truth. At one point he got married.
A close friend of Nathan said that some Chakma youth got the job. Nathan felt that he was not given the job because of his ethnic minority. Chakmaras are outnumbered, so they got the opportunity. Because of this, Nathan became somewhat hostile towards the Chakmas.
Not getting a job, Nathan built a resort near the neighborhood. That business closed after a few days. After that, many people saw him rummaging through religious books. While doing all this, he met some religious gurus of Mizoram. Nathan also went to Europe with their help. He told his friends that he did two diplomas there. But many people cannot tell its truth. At one point he got married.
A close friend of Nathan said that some Chakma youth got the job. Nathan felt that he was not given the job because of his ethnic minority. Chakmaras are outnumbered, so they got the opportunity. Because of this, Nathan became somewhat hostile towards the Chakmas.
KNDO to KNF
Nathan Baum was also the founder of a non-governmental organization called Kuki-Chin National Development Organization (KNDO) in Aden neighborhood. Although many people are curious about the source of funds of this institution, its mystery has never been revealed. Nathan at that time thought of various ideas to unite the people of his ethnic group. During this time, he also wrote a book in English called ‘Joe’. Its price was 300 rupees.
Locals believe that Nathan used to collect workers under the cover of this organization.
Nathan’s uncle was saying that Nathan got money from a group. In 2018, he also submitted his nomination papers for the elections. But that nomination paper was not valid. Nathan was not elected again. But the attempt to start an armed movement was going on since then.
At the end of 2018, several people including Nathan went to Myanmar’s Chin State for weapons training. He then returned to the area. Nathan’s actions after his return caused suspicion in the eyes of many. Local dignitaries questioned his actions. Around the month of February 2022, Nathan and his accomplices beat up a religious pastor in their office of that NGO. He was thrown away injured. After this, Nathan left the area. He is said to have traveled frequently to parts of Myanmar and Mizoram in India.
At the end of 2018, several people including Nathan went to Myanmar’s Chin State for weapons training. He then returned to the area. Nathan’s actions after his return caused suspicion in the eyes of many
Armed activities of KENF
A major part of Nathan’s party KNF’s campaign was to take a hostile stance against the JSS and the Chakmas, the largest political parties in Chittagong Hill Tracts. Many people think that those who wanted an armed group against JSS should be in Chittagong Hill Tracts, they have supported Nathan in various ways.
Around 2022, the local law enforcement agencies did not take any action despite the announcement of the formation of a separate state on Facebook, various pictures of armed groups, etc. In May 2022, one of the first national dailies published reports highlighting the existence of KENF. At that time this reporter also spoke to the OC of Ruma Police Station and the then Superintendent of Police of Bandarban. They did not give any clear statement about these activities. However, KNF was accused of killing innocent people in several armed raids. RAB’s special operation was conducted around October. The law and order forces told the media about KNF’s contact with the militant group. After that, operations against the KNF began to be carried out rapidly. When the situation became more turbulent, many local dignitaries also formed a peace committee.
We do not know where Nathan Bom is. But now such a big operation is taking place in Bangladesh, it can be assumed that the big leader of this armed group ie Nathan is leading it closely. Because, in such a big campaign, the main leader will be away, it is not right.
A senior officer of the Mizoram branch of the Indian Border Guard
Where is Nathan now?
Several meetings have already been held with this peace committee. The last meeting was held on March 5. As per the decision there, the next meeting was scheduled to be held on April 22. But before that, KNF started various activities including attacks on several banks, attacks on police stations. As a result of Nathan’s actions, the leaders of the peace committee announced their withdrawal from the peace process. Jarlam Bom, the member secretary of this committee told, “I ignored all the fears of the people of the ethnic group and tried only for peace. But it failed. I don’t understand why the KNF did this in the middle of the peace process.
Jarlam Bom said that he had a talk with Nathan at the beginning of November last year. Nathan then informed that he was in Mizoram. He then interacted with others in the KNF peace process. There was no further contact with Nathan.
Looking at the people of the ethnicity, I ignored all the fears and just tried for peace. But it failed. I don’t understand why the KNF did this in the middle of the peace process.
Jarlam Bom, member secretary of the Peace Committee
Was Nathan really ever in Mizoram? In response to such a question, a senior member of the left caste group told, “Many people like me know that Nathan lived in Munaun village in Longtlai district of Mizoram. It is 25 km away from Bangladesh border. But no one can say anything for sure.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Bolipara commander Lt. Col. Taimur Hossain Khan told, “It is not possible to confirm Nathan’s whereabouts.” But how they suddenly attacked again in a peace process is a big question. We are investigating this. We are sure that they did the bank attack. But who attacked the police station on Thursday night, it cannot be said for sure now.
spoke to several officials of the law enforcement agencies of Mizoram. None of them wanted to reveal their names. A senior officer of the Mizoram branch of the Indian Border Guard told Prothom Alo, “We are not aware of Nathan Bom’s whereabouts. But now such a big operation is taking place in Bangladesh, it can be assumed that the big leader of this armed group Nathan is leading it closely. Because, in such a big campaign, the main leader will be away, it is not right.