New Delhi, November 14 : The Indian government has officially declared the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), including all its factions, wings, and front organizations, as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The move follows the group’s continued involvement in activities detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, particularly in the northeastern state of Meghalaya.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ notification, the HNLC has been actively working towards the secession of parts of Meghalaya, predominantly inhabited by the Khasi and Jaintia tribes, and has been involved in extortion, intimidation, and criminal activities, including multiple bombings and explosions in the region. The central government cited specific actions by the HNLC from November 2019 to June 2024, including: – The group’s objective to secede parts of Meghalaya from India. – Ongoing extortion efforts targeting civilians. – Links to other insurgent groups in the Northeast. – Involvement in 48 criminal cases, including bombings and explosives incidents.
During the same period, 73 HNLC cadres were arrested, and three members surrendered to authorities, underscoring the group’s declining influence and increasing law enforcement pressure.
The government of Meghalaya had also recommended the declaration of HNLC as an unlawful organization, supporting the central government’s stance due to the ongoing threat posed by the group to both civilians and security forces in the region.
The central government has expressed concern that if the HNLC’s activities are not curtailed immediately, the group could regroup, rearm, and escalate violence, potentially leading to further loss of life and property. As a result, the government has decided to take swift action, invoking powers under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to impose this ban effective from 16th November 2024 for a period of five years.
