Manipur: Indian Govt Bans Nine Meitei Extremist Groups in Manipur for Five Years

IMPHAL: The Ministry of Home Affairs recently declared nine Meitei extremist organizations in Manipur as "unlawful associations" under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). This action, spanning five years, aimed to curb activities deemed detrimental to India's sovereignty and integrity. The notification published on November 13 targeted these groups, accusing them of engaging in secessionist, subversive, and violent actions.

These banned Meitei groups include prominent entities like the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) with its armed wing, the Manipur People’s Army (MPA), the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) and its armed unit known as the ‘Red Army,’ the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and its armed wing, also referred to as the ‘Red Army,’ the Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup (KYKL), the Coordination Committee (CorCom), and the Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak (ASUK) along with their various factions and front organizations.

The central contention of the government's action is rooted in these groups' stated objective of establishing an independent nation through armed struggle by seceding Manipur from India. Moreover, their activities, as highlighted, encompass inciting indigenous Manipuri people for this secession, engaging in anti-national endeavors in collusion with external entities opposing India's sovereignty, targeting civilians, law enforcement, and security personnel, procuring illegal weaponry from across borders, and extorting funds for their illicit operations.

The move to outlaw these associations aims to quell their violent and secessionist activities, which have posed a significant threat to the stability and security of the region. By invoking the UAPA, the government seeks to disrupt their ability to perpetuate violence, subversion, and insurgency in the area, thereby safeguarding the nation's unity and integrity. Their alleged actions range from anti-national propaganda and civilian killings to targeting law enforcement personnel, illegal arms procurement across international borders, and extensive fund extortion for their unlawful activities.

This decisive measure has been undertaken in response to the escalating concerns surrounding the activities of these Meitei extremist groups, ultimately prioritizing the preservation of peace and sovereignty within the region and the nation as a whole.

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