Centre extends UAPA ban on eight Meitei extremist organisations

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reportedly issued a notification on Monday, declaring several ‘Meitei’ extremism organisations as “unlawful associations” under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

As per the notification, the order will be effective from Monday (November 13, 2023) for a period of five years.

The decision to ban Meitei extremist organisations was taken to curb their “secessionist, subversive, terrorist and violent activities”, the notification read. The government believes that these organisations indulge in attacks on security forces, police and civilians in Manipur, the Hindustan Times reported.

The ministry said the activities of the Meitei Extremist Organisations are considered “detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India and that they are unlawful associations”.

The MHA was quoted as saying that these organisations have, as their professed aim, “establishment of an independent nation by secession of Manipur from India through armed struggle and to incite indigenous people of Manipur for such secession”.