Tribunal Upholds 5-Year Ban On NSCN (K)

In its order, presiding officer Justice Nelson Sailo held that the outfit’s activities are “detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India” and aimed at secession.

The Tribunal said there was sufficient material to conclude that the group was engaged in activities amounting to “waging war” against the Government of India. The Union Home Ministry had imposed the ban with effect from September 28, 2025.

The reference to the Tribunal was made under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, which mandates adjudication within 30 days of declaring an organisation unlawful.

The Tribunal observed that evidence showed the outfit’s objective of creating a “sovereign Nagaland” by including Naga-inhabited areas across the Indo-Myanmar region through secession from India.

It said the organisation’s activities posed a direct threat to national security and required continued prohibition to prevent further operations.

Based on material from the Centre and the governments of Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, the Tribunal held that the group was engaged in unlawful activities affecting public safety and national integrity.

It also noted that the outfit had links with other banned organisations such as the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak and People's Liberation Army.

The Tribunal said the group was involved in extortion, kidnapping and possession of illegal arms, and had support from external anti-India elements.

The home ministry had cited multiple cases between September 2020 and April 2025, including arrests, seizures of arms and explosives, and prosecution of cadres.

The ban on the outfit, which has been periodically extended over the years, will remain in force for five years from September 28, 2025.

The organisation was earlier led by S.S. Khaplang, who died in 2017, and is now run by his deputies. Its rival faction, NSCN (IM), is engaged in peace talks with the Centre.