Govt bans Khalistan Liberation Force as terror outfit

The government has declared Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) a banned organisation, which aims to establish an independent country with the secession from Punjab "through violent means".

The decision was taken under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for the outfit's alleged involvement in killing of innocent people and police officers and several bombings on civilian targets in India, the order stated.

The objective of the KLF, which came into existence in 1986, was "establishing an independent state of Khalistan by secession from the state of Punjab through violent means", the notification issued on Wednesday said.

It said the KLF was "engaged in the killing of innocent persons and police officers, several bombings on civilian targets in India, a collection of funds for terror activities through extortion, kidnappings, bank robberies etc., and assassination attempts of important government functionaries".

Providing more reasons for its actions, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in the notification, the KLF has also "committed acts of terrorism and promoting acts of terrorism and has been engaged in radicalisation and recruitment of youth for terrorist activities" in the country.

While providing details of a series of cases against KLF, it said the members of this group in India were getting financial and logistic support from their handlers based abroad.

"The Central Government believes that the ‘Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF)’ is involved in terrorism as it has committed and participated in various acts of terrorism in India," it said.