Arunachal: UAPA Tribunal issues show-cause notice to NSCN (K) over unlawful activities

Guwahati: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, operating under the Gauhati High Court, has issued a Show-Cause Notice to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) [NSCN (K)], including all its factions, wings, and front organisations.

The tribunal directed the group to explain why it should not face a declaration as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The Chamber of the Deputy Registrar of the UAPA Tribunal, Gauhati, issued the notice on October 31, 2025.

The Central Government appointed Justice Nelson Sailo through Gazette Notification No. S.O. 4709(E) on October 17, 2025, to lead the tribunal and examine whether sufficient grounds exist to label NSCN (K) an unlawful organisation.

Previously, the Ministry of Home Affairs had already declared NSCN (K) and its affiliated wings, factions, and front organisations as an unlawful association effective September 28, 2025, via Notification No. S.O. 4241(E) dated September 22, 2025.

The tribunal, after recording prima facie satisfaction regarding the group’s activities in Nagaland on October 29, 2025, extended its directions on October 31 to include Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, where NSCN (K) maintains a presence.

Special Counsel Subhash Chandra Keyal represented the Union of India, while Senior Government Advocate Arun Chandran represented the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

The tribunal ordered the Central Government and the State Governments of Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh to serve notices on NSCN (K) through registered post, newspaper publications, public proclamations, and broadcasts via All India Radio.

The organisation must submit its objections or written statements within 30 days of receiving the notice.

The next hearing is scheduled for December 16, 2025, at 2 pm in Court No. 4 (New Block) at the Gauhati High Court, Guwahati.

Officials said the proceedings are part of the Central Government’s ongoing efforts to curb the operations of banned extremist groups in the Northeast and strengthen national security under the provisions of the UAPA.