NEW DELHI: In a significant move, the Indian government, on Tuesday, imposed a five-year ban on two Tripura-based insurgent groups, the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), as well as their affiliated organizations. This decision comes in response to their participation in various subversive activities that posed a threat to the nation's sovereignty and integrity.
The Union home ministry issued an official notification, highlighting that the NLFT and ATTF openly aim for the establishment of an independent nation by seceding Tripura from India through armed struggle, aligning themselves with other secessionist organizations in the northeastern state and inciting the indigenous people of Tripura toward such secession.
The government firmly believes that both the NLFT and ATTF have been actively involved in subversive and violent actions, undermining the authority of the government and spreading fear and violence among the population in pursuit of their objectives.
These groups have been responsible for violent and unlawful activities that have a detrimental impact on the sovereignty and integrity of India. Their actions include civilian and law enforcement personnel killings, as well as extortion from the public, including business owners and traders.
Furthermore, the NLFT and ATTF have been found to establish and maintain camps in neighboring countries to serve as safe sanctuaries for training, arms and ammunition procurement, and more.
In light of these grave concerns, the government has declared the NLFT, including all its factions, wings, and front organizations, as well as the ATTF, along with all its associated factions, wings, and front organizations, as unlawful associations. This decision is made under the authority granted by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967).
"Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the central government hereby declares the NLFT along with all its factions, wings and front organisations and the ATTF along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as unlawful associations," the notification said.
The ban imposed by the home ministry will remain in effect for a period of five years.
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