Center bans Meghalaya-based insurgent group HNLC till 2029 – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Center on Thursday renewed the ‘unlawful association’ tag for insurgent group Meghalaya Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), together with all its factions, wings and front organizations, for a further period of five years.
The Center, in a notification issued under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, said HNLC has been involved in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of the country (UAPA), 1967, said that the declared aim of the outfit is the secession of areas in Meghalaya, largely inhabited by Khasi and Jaintia tribes, from India; continued intimidation and harassment of the civilian population due to extortion of funds for their organization; and had links with other insurgent groups in the northeastern region for committing acts of extortion and intimidation. It added that the unit was involved in 48 criminal cases, including explosions or planting of explosives in Meghalaya, during the period from November 16, 2019 to June 30, 2024. The 73 cadres were arrested during this period.
Armed with the recommendation to declare HNLC an ‘unlawful association’, the central government said it is of the view that the activities of the group which, if not immediately curbed and controlled, could regroup and rearm its cadres expand, acquire advanced weapons, the loss of lives of civilians, security forces and property, thereby accelerating its anti-national activities.
The notice prohibiting HNLC as a ‘unlawful association‘ is valid until November 15, 2029.