Nagaland: Centre extends ban on NSCN-K and its factions for five more years

Guwahati: The Centre on Monday extended the ban on the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), along with all its factions, wings, and front organisations, for another five years due to their involvement in activities deemed prejudicial to India’s sovereignty and integrity.

The renewed ban will come into effect from September 28, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The government stated that NSCN-K has consistently pursued the creation of a sovereign Nagaland encompassing Naga-inhabited areas of the Indo-Myanmar region, seeking secession from India.

The group has reportedly aligned with other banned outfits such as ULFA, PREPAK, and PLA, and has been involved in kidnapping for ransom, extortion from civilians and officials, possession of illegal arms, and seeking support from anti-India forces abroad.

Invoking powers under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Centre declared NSCN-K and all its associated groups as an unlawful association. The organisation has been under a ban for decades, with renewals every five years.

Its former leader, S S Khaplang, a Myanmarese Naga, passed away in 2017, and the group is now led by his deputies.

Meanwhile, the rival NSCN-IM faction continues peace negotiations with the central government, aiming to resolve the seven-decade-long insurgency in Nagaland.