GUWAHATI: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has set up the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, led by Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi from the Gauhati High Court, to determine whether there are grounds to declare various Meitei Extremist Organizations in Manipur, along with their different branches and affiliated bodies, as "unlawful associations."

This move comes following the MHA's declaration, almost 15 days earlier, labeling several Meitei extremist organizations, their factions, wings, and front organizations as unlawful entities under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for a five-year duration, effective from November 13, 2023.

The decision to establish the tribunal was announced in a notification released late on November 28. The MHA clarified that their action was prompted by information indicating that these Meitei extremist organizations, such as the PLA, RPF, UNLF, MPA, PREPAK, KCP, KYKL, CorCom, and ASUK, were striving for Manipur's secession from India through armed means. They have allegedly been involved in attacking security forces, police, civilians, extortion, and maintaining camps in neighboring countries for illegal activities.

According to the Ministry, these activities are deemed detrimental to India's sovereignty and integrity, necessitating immediate control and restraint on the Meitei extremist groups. The government is concerned that these organizations might escalate their violent activities, collaborate with anti-national forces, procure illegal arms, extort funds, and pose a threat to civilians and security forces.

In light of these concerns, the MHA believes it is crucial to curb the activities of these Meitei extremist organizations to safeguard the nation's integrity and prevent further violence and unlawful actions.

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