Manipur Violence: MHA Bans Several 'Meitei’ Extremist Organisations For 5 Years

Central government bans several ‘Meitei’ extremist organisations, working mainly in Manipur, as “unlawful associations” under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). As per the notification issued by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), it will be effective from November 13, for a period of five years.

The extremist organisations identified under this category are 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), the Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) and its armed wing, the “Red Army”, the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and its armed wing, also called the “Red Army”, the Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup (KYKL), the Coordination Committee (CorCom) and the Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak (ASUK). Besides, all their factions, wings and front organisations, are also declared as “unlawful associations.”

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India declared valley-based extremist groups as Unlawful Associations under Sec.-3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1976 as they posed a threat to India”s integrity and sovereignty.

Most of them are reportedly based at Myanmar… pic.twitter.com/wia3HQOgMZ

— Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip (@DrLamtinthangHk) November 13, 2023

The MHA notification reads that aim of the extremist organisation is “establishment of an independent nation by secession of Manipur from India through armed struggle and to incite indigenous people of Manipur for such secession.” The Central government is of the opinion that that they have been “engaging in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India,” “employing and engaging in armed means to achieve their aforesaid objectives,” “attacking and killing the Security Forces, the Police and Civilians in Manipur,” “indulging in acts of intimidation, extortion and looting of civilian population for collection of funds for their Organisations,” “making contacts with sources abroad for influencing public opinion and for securing their assistance by way of arms and training for the purpose of achieving their secessionist objective,” and “maintaining camps in neighbouring countries for the purpose of sanctuaries, training and clandestine procurement of arms and ammunition.”

The notification also adds that these organisations “considered detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India and that they are unlawful associations”. Continuing further, government expresses that if they did not curb and control these organisations immediately, they will resort to many measures including “mobilise their cadres for escalating their secessionist, subversive, terrorist and violent activities.”