Shillong,Nov 14: The Centre has banned the HNLC for another five years.
The notification of the ministry of Home Affairs issued on November 13, said that the ban on HNLC for 5 years will be effective from November 16.
The notification said the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council along with all its factions, wings and front organisations of Meghalaya has been involved in such activities which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
The Centre is of the opinion that the HNLC has declared objective for secession of areas in Meghalaya, largely inhabited by Khasi and Jaintia tribes from India, continued intimidation and bullying of the civilian population for extortion of funds for their organisation; maintained links with other insurgent groups of the Northeastern region for carrying out acts of extortion and intimidation.
48 criminal cases
The HNLC indulged in forty-eight criminal cases, including several cases of explosions or planting of explosives in Meghalaya, during November 16, 2019 to June 30, 2024.
According to the Centre, following has also been noted during the period from November 16, 2019 to June 30 2024
(i) Arrest of seventy-three of its cadres during the said period;
(ii) surrender of three of its cadres during the said period:
“An whereas, 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): AND WHEREAS, the Central Government is also of the opinion that the aforesaid 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; and whereas, the Central Government is also of the opinion that for the reasons aforesaid, it is necessary to declare the HNLC together with its factions, wings and front organisations, as an unlawful association; now, therefore, 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 Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as an unlawful association. The Central Government, having regard to the unlawful activities mentioned above, and the unlawful activities committed in the past by the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), is of the opinion that circumstances exist which render it necessary to declare the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), 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 16th November, 2024 for a period of five years”.
Photo caption: A blast site in Shillong in 2021
