The Home Ministry’s statement imposing a ban on the nine Meitei extremist groups was issued on November 13. It cited an evaluation of the current ground situation in the state and the recent activities of these organisations as the basis for the ban.
The decision follows the revelation that these banned organisations have been responsible for attacks, including the killing of security forces, police personnel, and civilians in Manipur over the past six months of ongoing violence. On November 13, the Centre declared these ‘Meitei’ extremist organisations “unlawful associations” under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The move aims to curb their “secessionist, subversive, terrorist, and violent activities.”
Ministry of Home Affairs today declared the Meitei Extremist Organisations-the Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) and its political wing, the Revolutionary Peoples’ Front (RPF), the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and its armed wing the Manipur Peoples’ Army (MPA) as unlawful… pic.twitter.com/cllk1qPKR0
— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2023
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification highlighted that these Meitei extremist organisations harbor the professed goal of creating a separate nation by advocating the secession of Manipur from India through armed struggle and by inciting indigenous Meitei people towards secession.
The Union Home Ministry, exercising powers conferred by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, has declared nine Meitei extremist organisations as “unlawful associations.” The notification, issued on the authority of sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the UAPA, includes prominent groups such as the Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) and its political wing, the Revolutionary Peoples’ Front (RPF), among others.
The Union Government’s decision, outlined in the notification, stems from concerns over the Meitei extremist organisations engaging in activities deemed prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India. The notification specifically notes their involvement in attacks on security personnel, police, and civilians in Manipur, spanning a period of over six months of ongoing violence.
The banned organisations, which include the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Manipur Peoples’ Army (MPA), Peoples’ Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup (KYKL), Coordination Committee (CorCom), and Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak (ASUK), along with all their factions, wings, and front organisations, are now designated as “unlawful associations.”
The Union Government’s assessment underscores that these Meitei extremist organisations have been actively engaging in intimidating, extorting, and looting civilians to collect funds for their operations. Additionally, the notification highlights their efforts to establish contact with foreign sources to influence public opinion and secure assistance, including arms and training, to advance their secessionist objectives.
Furthermore, the government contends that these extremist groups maintain camps in neighbouring countries, utilising them as sanctuaries for training and clandestine procurement of arms and ammunition. The notification concludes by reiterating the Union Government’s firm opinion that the activities of these Meitei extremist organisations pose a significant threat to the sovereignty and integrity of India, warranting their designation as unlawful associations under the UAPA.
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