Center extends ban on ULFA by 5 years under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act | Latest news India

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday extended the ban on the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) for another five years as it remains committed to Assam’s secession from India and has links with other insurgents for extortion and violence. message from the ministry.

The outfit was first banned in 1990 and since then the ban has been periodically extended. It was last banned under the Unlawful Activity (Prevention) Act 1967 on November 27, 2019.

The notice stated that ULFA along with all its factions, wings and front organizations have been involved in such activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.

“ULFA has stated that it is committed to seceding Assam from India, has continued intimidation and extortion of funds for their organization and has maintained links with other insurgent groups for extortion and violence. The group has been in possession of illegal arms and ammunition, has been guilty of 16 criminal cases including several cases of explosions or planting of explosives in Assam during the period from November 27, 2019 to July 1, 2024, and has possessed several improvised explosive devices or explosives placed in prison. run-up to Independence Day 2024 in Assam,” the notification said.

In the last five years, the MHA added, three hardcore ULFA cadres were killed in police or security force action, 15 cases were registered against the cadres with three charges filed and three cadres were prosecuted.

It further stated that the unit was involved in 27 other criminal activities, 56 executives were arrested and 63 executives were surrendered. Besides 27 weapons, 550 grenades, nine grenades and two improvised explosive devices were also recovered from the possession of the ULFA members, the ministry said.

“Now the Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activity (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), hereby declares the ULFA along with all its factions, Wings and Front- organizations as an unlawful association for five years with effect from November 27, 2024,” the notice said.

On December 29, 2023, the pro-talks faction of the ULFA, led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, signed a peace agreement with the central government and the government of Assam, agreeing to shun violence, surrender all weapons, disband the organization and to join the democratic process. However, the hardline insurgent group, led by Paresh Baruah, continues to be involved in subversive activities.