The Centre has extended its ban on the Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) for another five years, the Ministry of Home Affairs notified on November 13.
According to the Ministry, the HNLC, which has a declared objective for secession of areas in Meghalaya, continues intimidation and bullying of the civilian population for extortion of funds for their organisation.
The HNLC maintained links with other insurgent groups of the North Eastern region for carrying out acts of extortion and intimidation and indulged in 48 criminal cases, including several cases of explosions or planting of explosives in the State during November 16, 2019 to June 30, 2024, it added.
The Ministry also stated that during the same period, 73 of its cadres were arrested and three surrendered.
It stated that the Government of Meghalaya has also recommended for declaration of the HNLC as an unlawful association under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967).
The notification also states that the activities of the HNLC are detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, and if these are not immediately curbed and controlled, the HNLC may regroup and rearm itself, expand its cadres, procure sophisticated weapons, cause loss of lives of civilians and security forces and properties and thereby accelerate its anti-national activities.
The Centre is also of the opinion that for the above reasons, it is necessary to declare the HNLC together with its factions, wings and front organisations, as an unlawful association.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), (hereinafter referred to as the said Act), the Central Government hereby declares the HNLC, along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as an unlawful association,” the notification states.
The notification also stated that the Central Government, having regard to the unlawful activities mentioned above, and the unlawful activities committed in the past by the HNLC, is of the opinion that circumstances exist which render it necessary to declare the outfit along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as an unlawful association with immediate effect and accordingly, in exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 3 of the said Act, hereby directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have immediate effect from the November 16, 2024 for a period of five years.
