Indian Government Declares HNLC as Unlawful: A Reinforced Crackdown on Insurgency

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council and its affiliates in Meghalaya are now classified as unlawful entities. This decision, effective from November 2024, highlights concerns over the group's activities undermining India's sovereignty and integrity.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken decisive action by designating the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and its extensions as an unlawful organization. This move, effective starting November 16, 2024, comes amid concerns over the group's activities that challenge the sovereignty and integrity of India.

According to a notification from the Ministry, the decision to ban HNLC was made under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The government cited efforts by the group to promote secession within Meghalaya's Khasi and Jaintia tribes. Additionally, the HNLC has been linked to intimidation tactics used to extract funds, and connections with regional insurgent groups to carry out acts of extortion and coercion.

The banned organization was implicated in 48 criminal incidents within the last five years, including explosive-related offenses. During this period, 73 HNLC members have been apprehended, reflecting mounting pressure on the group's operations. The state government also advocated for this ban, emphasizing the potential threats posed by the HNLC, especially concerning national security and public safety.

(With inputs from agencies.)