Mokokchung, 13 November (MTNews): Amidst the ethnic violence that has persisted in Manipur for the sixth month between the Kuki and the Meitei communities, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday declared several “Meitei Extremist Organizations” along with their factions, wings, and front organizations as “unlawful associations” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for a period of five years. The list of banned organizations includes the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its political counterpart, the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF); the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and its military branch, the Manipur People’s Army (MPA); the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) and its armed division; and the Red Army.
The Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and its armed wing, also known as the Red Army; the Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup (KYKL); the Coordination Committee (CorCom); and the Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak (ASUK), along with all their factions, wings, and front organizations, have also been declared unlawful associations for a period of five years.
The MHA conveyed this decision through a notification, citing the exercise of “the powers conferred by the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 3 of the said Act.” The order, effective from Monday (November 13, 2023), is set to last for five years.
Reasons behind the ban
The MHA justified the ban by stating that all the “Meitei Extremist Organizations” share a common goal of “establishing an independent nation by secession of Manipur from India through armed struggle and inciting indigenous people of Manipur for such secession.” The Ministry also highlighted their engagement in activities deemed prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
According to the MHA notification, these “Meitei Extremist Organizations” have been involved in various activities, including: Attacking and killing security forces, police, and civilians in Manipur; Indulging in acts of intimidation, extortion, and looting of the civilian population to fund their organizations; Establishing contacts with sources abroad to influence public opinion and secure assistance in the form of arms and training; and maintaining camps in neighboring countries for sanctuaries, training, and clandestine procurement of arms and ammunition.
The Ministry emphasized that these activities are “detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India” and deemed the “Meitei Extremist Organizations” as “unlawful associations.” The MHA argued that immediate action was necessary to curb and control these organizations, suspecting their intention to escalate secessionist, subversive, terrorist, and violent activities, propagate anti-national activities, and target civilians, police, and security forces. The organizations are also suspected of procuring illegal arms, ammunition, and extorting funds for unlawful activities from the public.