MHA Constitutes Tribunal to Examine Ban on ULFA

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has established an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal to assess whether the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and its affiliates should continue to be classified as an unlawful association.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Michael Zothankhuma of the Gauhati High Court, was formed under Section 5(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. This follows the MHA's recent decision to extend ULFA's ban for five more years, citing the group's ongoing efforts to secede Assam from India, links with other insurgent groups, and involvement in extortion and violence.

The ULFA, banned since 1990, has a long history of criminal activities, including possession of illegal arms, planting explosives, and extortion. The group is among 17 organizations designated as unlawful associations under the UAPA. Other groups include the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Popular Front of India (PFI), and Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).