Centre bans Meitei extremist outfits in Manipur for 5 years

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has banned several Meitei extremist outfits for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). A notification in this regard was issued on Monday.

The Home Ministry’s notification states that the aim of these outfits is to establish an independent nation of Manipur by separating it from India through armed struggle and to instigate the indigenous people of Manipur for such secession.

The groups banned for the next five years include the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its political wing, the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and its armed wing, the Manipur People’s Army (MPA).

The People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleypak (PREPAK) and its armed wing the Red Army, the Kangleypak Communist Party (KCP) and its armed wing (also known as the Red Army), the Kangley Yaol Kanba Lup (KYKL), the Coordinating Committee (KORCOM), and Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak (ASUK).

The Home Ministry had years ago declared PLA, UNLF, PREPAK, KCP, KYKL as banned organisations under UAPA and this latest action has extended the ban for a further five years.

In the notification, the Home Ministry said that if not controlled immediately, extremist organisations may increase their separatist, subversive, terrorist and violent activities. The government believes that these groups may indulge in anti-national activities, collaborate with forces prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, commit civilian killings, target police and security personnel. It was further highlighted that these groups can purchase illegal arms and ammunition from across the border and raise funds for illegal activities.

The notification said that considering the circumstances, the Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by the UAPA, declares these extremist organisations as ‘unlawful associations’. The notification is effective from November 13, 2023 and will remain in force for a period of five years.

WHAT IS THE UAPA?
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill 2019 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Home Minister Amit Shah on July 8, 2019. The Bill amends the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967, which, among other matters, outlines specific procedures to deal with terrorist activities.

KEY PROVISIONS OF UAPA INCLUDE:

Designation of terrorist organisations: Under the Act, the Central Government has the power to designate an organisation as a terrorist one if it engages in terrorist acts, preparation for terrorism, promotion of terrorism, or otherwise engaged in terrorism. This amendment empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists on an equal basis.

Approval for seizure of assets by NIA: According to the Act, an investigating officer must obtain prior approval from the Director General of Police to seize assets related to terrorism.

The amendment specifies that if the investigation is conducted by an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the approval of the Director General of NIA is required for asset seizure.

NIA Investigation Authority: The Act basically stipulates that cases can be investigated by officers of the level of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above.
The amendment extends this power to officers of the rank of Inspector or above of the NIA, allowing them to investigate cases.

Inclusion in the Schedule of Treaties: The Act defines terrorist acts to include acts committed within the scope of any treaty listed in the Schedule to the Act.

The current schedule enumerates nine treaties, such as the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997) and the Convention against the Taking of Hostages (1979).

The amendment introduces another treaty into the list, namely the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005).