In a significant move, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on November 13, 2023, declaring a set of Meitei Extremist Organizations as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The banned 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).
The government outlined the reasons behind this decision, citing the organizations’ professed aim of establishing an independent nation by seceding Manipur from India through armed struggle. The notification emphasizes that these organizations have been engaging in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, employing armed means to achieve their objectives, and attacking security forces, police, and civilians in Manipur.
The Central Government expressed concerns over the Meitei Extremist Organizations’ involvement in acts of intimidation, extortion, and looting for fund collection, as well as their connections with sources abroad to influence public opinion and secure assistance, including arms and training. Additionally, the organizations were accused of maintaining camps in neighbouring countries for sanctuaries, training, and clandestine procurement of arms and ammunition.
The government, deeming these activities detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, declared these organizations as unlawful associations. The notification further highlighted that if not immediately controlled, these Meitei groups could escalate their secessionist, subversive, terrorist, and violent activities. The anticipated consequences include the mobilization of cadres, propagation of anti-national activities, killings of civilians and targeting of police and security personnel, illegal arms procurement from across the international border, and extortion of funds from the public for unlawful activities.
In exercising the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Central Government declared the Meitei Extremist Organizations and all their factions, wings, and front organizations as unlawful associations. The notification, effective from November 13, 2023, for a period of five years, also invoked the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 3 of the said Act.
Piyush Goyal, Additional Secretary, signed off on the notification, underscoring the gravity of the government’s stance against these organizations.
