In a significant move to curb violent activities, the Indian government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has declared multiple Meitei extremist organizations as “unlawful associations” under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The banned organizations include the Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) and Revolutionary Peoples’ Front (RPF), 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 organizations.
The ban, effective for five years starting Monday, aims to address the government’s concerns regarding the organizations’ secessionist, subversive, terrorist, and violent activities. These activities reportedly include attacks on security forces, police, and civilians in Manipur, as well as actions prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
The MHA, exercising powers conferred by the UAPA, justified the ban, emphasizing the organizations’ professed aim of establishing an independent nation through armed struggle and inciting indigenous people for secession. The notification outlined various activities considered detrimental to India’s sovereignty, including armed means to achieve objectives, attacks on security forces, intimidation, extortion, looting, contacts with sources abroad, and maintaining camps in neighboring countries.
The government expressed the opinion that immediate control is necessary to prevent the escalation of secessionist activities, propagation of anti-national sentiments, killings, illegal arms procurement, and extortion. The ban is seen as a measure to curb the organizations’ influence and prevent them from mobilizing cadres and collecting funds for unlawful activities.
The move comes amid heightened tensions in Manipur, with ethnic violence between dominant Meitei and tribal Kuki communities leading to casualties and displacements. The government’s decision reflects its commitment to maintaining law and order, protecting national interests, and safeguarding the well-being of civilians and security forces in the region.
Sources By Agencies