NEW DELHI: The government issued a notification on Thursday designating the Meghalaya-based Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) as an "unlawful association" under the provisions of the anti-terror law UAPA.
This also applies to all its factions, wings, and front organisations and will remain in effect for five years, starting from November 16, 2024.
In the notification, a copy of which is with TNIE, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated that the move was taken in light of the unlawful activities committed by the HNLC in the past. The group has been found to be involved in activities that are "prejudicial" to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
According to the notification, there are existing circumstances "which render it necessary to declare the group, along with all its factions, wings, and front organizations, as an unlawful association with immediate effect."
The MHA further stated, "The action has been taken in the exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, as the Central government believes that the HNLC has declared its objective for the secession of areas in the state of Meghalaya, largely inhabited by Khasi and Jaintia tribes, from India."
The notification also alleged that the outfit had "continued intimidation and bullying of the civilian population for extortion of funds for their organization," and maintained links with other insurgent groups in the Northeast region to carry out acts of extortion and intimidation.
"The HNLC also indulged in forty-eight criminal cases, including several cases of explosions or the planting of explosives in the state of Meghalaya, between November 16, 2019, and June 30, 2024," the notification stated. It also mentioned that, during the same period, 73 HNLC cadres were arrested, and three of its cadres surrendered.
The government of Meghalaya has also recommended declaring the HNLC an unlawful association under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, of 1967.
"The Central government is also of the opinion that the activities of the HNLC are detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India. If these activities are not immediately curbed, the HNLC may regroup, rearm itself, expand its cadres, procure sophisticated weapons, cause loss of civilian and security forces' lives, and damage properties, thereby accelerating its anti-national activities," the notification further read.