The Union government has set up a tribunal to examine the continuation of the ban on the Nagaland-based insurgent group, National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K). The move reflects the Centre’s ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Northeast while reassessing the activities of proscribed outfits under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
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Tribunal to Review the NSCN-K Ban
According to a recent notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the NSCN-K ban tribunal will be headed by a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court. The tribunal has been assigned to determine whether the organization continues to engage in unlawful activities that threaten India’s sovereignty and internal security.
The formation of the tribunal follows the Centre’s decision earlier this year to renew the ban on the NSCN-K under the UAPA for another five years. The government stated that the group continues to operate in a manner prejudicial to national integrity, particularly in the border regions of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
The tribunal will now review the evidence and submissions made by the government and the organization, if it chooses to contest the ban. It will assess whether the grounds cited for the renewal are sufficient under the law.
Background of NSCN-K and Its Split
The NSCN-K was formed in 1988 after a split within the main NSCN group, which divided into two factions — one led by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the other by S. S. Khaplang (NSCN-K). The NSCN-K, based largely in Myanmar, aimed for the establishment of a “Greater Nagalim,” encompassing Naga-inhabited areas across India and Myanmar.
Initially, both factions were active in violent campaigns against Indian security forces and government establishments. However, while the NSCN-IM entered into peace talks with the Government of India in 1997, the NSCN-K continued its armed activities.
The group signed a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government in 2001, but it unilaterally abrogated the truce in 2015. Following this, it carried out several attacks on Indian security personnel, prompting the Centre to impose a formal ban under the UAPA.
Current Status of the Group
Since the death of its founder, S. S. Khaplang, in 2017, the NSCN-K’s strength and influence have significantly weakened. Several of its senior members either surrendered or joined peace processes, while others formed smaller splinter groups.
Reports suggest that the group’s remaining factions operate from across the India-Myanmar border. Intelligence agencies have also indicated that some cadres may still be involved in extortion, arms trafficking, and providing support to other northeastern militant groups.
However, sources say that in recent years, the level of violence associated with NSCN-K has declined. This has prompted discussions on whether the group still poses a substantial threat that justifies the continuation of its proscribed status. The NSCN-K ban tribunal has therefore been tasked with examining the validity of extending the ban in light of the group’s current activity level.
Legal and Security Implications
The tribunal’s formation is a statutory requirement under Section 5 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The law mandates that whenever a group is declared unlawful, the government must constitute a tribunal within 30 days to confirm the order. The tribunal must then determine whether there is sufficient cause to declare the association unlawful based on evidence and hearings.
Legal experts note that such reviews are essential to uphold due process and ensure that the government’s powers under anti-terror laws are exercised fairly. The tribunal’s findings will influence the continuation or revocation of the NSCN-K ban and could set a precedent for other similar cases involving insurgent organizations.
For the security establishment, maintaining the ban is considered vital to preventing the group’s possible revival or regrouping. The Ministry of Home Affairs has argued that despite internal divisions, the NSCN-K continues to propagate anti-India ideology and poses a latent threat in sensitive border regions.
Peace Efforts and the Way Forward
The government has reiterated that its approach toward insurgent groups in Nagaland remains twofold — promoting peace with those willing to engage in dialogue while acting firmly against those who reject peaceful resolution.
Nagaland has witnessed significant progress in peace negotiations over the past two decades. The Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN-IM and the Centre in 2015 remains the cornerstone of these efforts. Several other Naga groups under the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) have also joined the peace process.
Officials say that while most factions are cooperating, isolated outfits like the NSCN-K need continuous monitoring to ensure they do not disrupt ongoing negotiations or create instability. The NSCN-K ban tribunal is therefore a crucial step in balancing legal accountability with the peace process.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has often emphasized that all Naga groups should pursue a peaceful and inclusive solution. He said that constructive dialogue, rather than armed struggle, is the only way to achieve lasting peace and development in Nagaland.
Broader Implications for the Northeast
The tribunal’s decision will not only impact Nagaland but also influence counter-insurgency strategies across the Northeast. The region has seen a steady decline in militant activity over the past decade, thanks to peace accords and improved coordination between security forces and state governments.
A senior Home Ministry official said that the government’s policy is to bring all insurgent groups into the mainstream while isolating those that persist in violence. “The establishment of the tribunal is a part of India’s commitment to lawful, transparent governance, even in matters of national security,” the official noted.
If the tribunal confirms the government’s order, the ban on NSCN-K will continue for another term. However, if it finds insufficient evidence, the organization may see a review of its status — though close surveillance is expected to continue regardless.
As the process unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring that peace and development in Nagaland are not undermined by remnants of past conflicts. The NSCN-K ban tribunal represents both legal accountability and a renewed commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Northeast.
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