Centre bans Meghalaya-based insurgent group HNLC till 2029

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday renewed the “unlawful association” tag for Meghalaya insurgent group Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), along with all its factions, wings and front organisations, for a further period of five years.

Stating that HNLC has been involved in activities which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of the country, the Centre in a notification issued under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967, said the outfit’s declared objective is 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; and maintained links with other insurgent groups of the northeast region for carrying out acts of extortion and intimidation. It added that the outfit was involved in 48 criminal cases, including explosions or planting of explosives in Meghalaya, during the period from November 16, 2019 and June 30, 2024. Its 73 cadres were arrested during this period.

Armed with recommendation to declare HNLC an “unlawful association”, the Central govt said it is of the opinion that activities of the outfit which, if not immediately curbed and controlled, 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.

The notification proscribing HNLC as an ‘unlawful association’ will be valid until November 15, 2029.

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