New Delhi: The central government has extended the ban on the Naga insurgent group, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), and all its factions, branches, and front organizations for five years. The decision was taken due to the NSCN(K)’s involvement in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India. A notification issued by the Home Ministry on Monday stated that the ban will be effective for a period of five years from September 28.
The central government believes that the NSCN(K) harbors ambitions to create a sovereign Nagaland, comprising the Naga-dominated areas of the India-Myanmar region, separate from the Indian Union. It is also associated with other outlawed organizations such as the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I), the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The statement said that the banned armed group is also involved in kidnapping businessmen, government officials and other civilians for ransom and extortion, possessing illegal arms and ammunition, and receiving assistance from anti-India forces in other countries to obtain arms and other assistance. The notification said, “Now, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) 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, branches and front organisations as an unlawful association.”
The Home Ministry said that between September 28, 2020, and April 30, 2025, members of the NSCN (K) have been found involved in several activities. These include 71 cases registered against its members, 56 charge sheets filed, and 35 cadres prosecuted, involvement of its cadres in 51 other criminal activities, arrests of 85 cadres and surrenders by 69 cadres, seizure of 69 weapons, 52 magazines, 931 live cartridges, 10 grenades, 150 detonators, three explosive gel tubes, IEDs, and 800 grams of other explosives. During this period, 13 underground cadres were killed in police or security forces action. The state governments of Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh have also recommended declaring the NSCN (K) an unlawful organization under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
The Home Ministry stated that circumstances exist that necessitate declaring the NSCN (K) and all its factions, branches, and front organizations as unlawful organizations.
The NSCN (K) has been a banned organization for decades, with extensions every five years. NSCN(K) chief S.S. Khaplang was killed in 2017. Since then, the organization has been run by two of his associates. The NSCN-K’s rival faction, the NSCN-IM, is currently holding peace talks with the central government to find a lasting and peaceful solution to Nagaland’s seven-decade-old insurgency problem.
