Govt extends ban on Khaplang faction of NSCN

The government on Monday extended the ban on the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), saying the Naga insurgent group has been involved in 104 violent incidents resulting in the killing of seven security forces personnel, six civilians and the abduction of 75 civilians since 28 September, 2015.

In a gazette notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the NSCN(K) is aiming to create a sovereign Nagaland by incorporating Naga-inhabited areas of the Indo-Myanmar region by secession from the Indian Union.

It said the outfit is indulging in kidnapping for ransom and extortion of money from businessmen, government officials and other civilians as well as engaging in "unlawful and violent activities" thereby undermining the authority of the Centre and governments of Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and spreading terror and panic among the people.

The NSCN(K) is also aligning itself with other unlawful associations like the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Meitei organisation of Manipur besides embarking on a recruitment drive to continue its terrorist activities, the notification said.

It is also establishing camps and hideouts across the international borders and obtaining assistance from anti-India forces in other countries to procure arms and other assistance.

“Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section ( l) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the central government hereby declares the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) along with all its factions, wings and front organisations, as an unlawful association,” the notification issued by MHA Joint Secretary Satyendra Garg said.

The MHA was also of the opinion that the activities of the NSCN(K) are "detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India".

If the activities of the outfit are not curbed and controlled, the notification said, it may "make fresh recruitments, indulge in violent, terrorist and secessionist activities, collect funds and endanger the lives of innocent citizens and security forces personnel ".

The NSCN(K) had unilaterally abrogated the ceasefire agreement with the government in March 2015. Its leader S S Khaplang, a Naga from Myanmar, died in 2017 and the outfit is now run by two of his deputies.

The ban on NSCN(K) was reimposed in September 2015 after ambushing an Army convoy killing 18 soldiers in March. The government had lifted the ban on the NSCN(K) in 2001 after it entered after the group entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Centre.

The NSCN has split into two -- the NSCN (IM) and the NSCN (K) -- long back. The NSCN (IM) is presently engaged in negotiations with the government to find a peaceful solution to the Naga insurgency of over seven decades.