Center extends ban on ULFA for 5 years under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act | Latest India News

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday extended the ban on the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) by five years for continuing its efforts to secede Assam from India and maintaining links with other insurgent groups for extortion and violence, according to a report by the Ministry of Home Affairs. notice issued by 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 Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 on November 27, 2019.

The notification said that the ULFA along with all its factions, wings and front organizations were involved in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.

“ULFA has announced that its aim is to separate Assam from India, continue to intimidate and extort funds for its organization and maintain links with other insurgent groups engaged in extortion and violence. The group was in possession of illegal arms and ammunition, was involved in 16 criminal cases, including several cases of explosion or planting of explosives in Assam between November 27, 2019 and July 1, 2024, and planted several improvised explosive devices or materials explosives in the run-up to Independence Day 2024 across the state of Assam,” the notification said.

The MHA added that in the last five years, three staunch ULFA members were killed in action by the police or security forces, 15 cases were registered against the cadres of the organization, three charge sheets were filed and three cadres were charged.

He further stated that the group was involved in 27 other criminal activities, 56 of its members were arrested and 63 cadres were transferred. The ministry said that apart from 27 weapons, 550 bullets, nine grenades and two improvised explosive devices were seized from the possession of ULFA members.

“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby declares the ULFA along with all its factions, wings and front organizations as illegal association for five years with effect from November 27, 2024.” – we read in the notification.

On December 29, 2023, the pro-talk faction ULFA led by Arabinda Rajkhowa signed a peace agreement with the Central Government and the Government of Assam, agreeing to avoid violence, lay down all weapons, dissolve the organization and join the democratic process. However, the hardline faction of the insurgent group, led by Paresh Baruah, continues to engage in subversive activities.