National: In a significant development, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday declared Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as an unlawful association with immediate effect from the November 16, 2024 for a period of five years.

The Home Ministry in its notification dated November 13 stated that HNLC and its factions engage in activities that endanger India’s sovereignty, including efforts for secession, extortion, and ties with other insurgent groups. 

The development comes as the HNLC is accused of involvement in 48 criminal cases, including explosive attacks, over recent years. Earlier, the Meghalaya government had recommended the ban, which the MHA implemented under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967. 

The Home Minsitry said the group is also maintaining links with other insurgent groups of the northeastern region for carrying out extortion and intimidation and indulged in 48 criminal cases, including several cases of explosions or planting of explosives in Meghalaya, during the period from November 2019 to June 2024.

"The HNLC along with all its factions, wings and front organisations of Meghalaya has been involved in such activities which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India," the notification said.

Considering all these facts, the Ministry of Home Affairs decided to declare HNLC outlawed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967) for five years, the notification said.