National Liberation Front of Tripura, All Tripura Tiger Force again declared unlawful by MHA

The Union government Tuesday again declared all factions and wings of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) as unlawful groups.

The declaration, made under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is effective from Tuesday (October 3), and will remain valid for a duration of five years, encompassing all factions, wings, and front organizations affiliated with these outfits.

 “Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), (hereinafter referred to as the said Act) the Central Government hereby declares the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) along with all its factions, wings and front organisations and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as unlawful associations”, the government said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

As per the statement, the Centre also outlined its reasons for declaring the NLFT and ATTF as unlawful. The reasons are as follows:

Engaging in subversive and violent activities, undermining the authority of the government and spreading terror and violence among the people for achieving their objectives.

Maintaining close nexus with other unlawful associations of North East with the aim of mobilising their support.

In pursuance of their aims and objectives in recent past, engaging in violent and unlawful activities which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, Killing civilians and personnel belonging to the police and security forces, engaged in extortion of funds from the public including businessmen and traders in Tripura and establishing and maintaining camps in neighbouring countries for the purpose of safe sanctuary, training, procurement of arms and ammunition etc.

According to the statement, the Centre is also of the opinion that the aforesaid activities of the NLFT and the ATTF are "detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India".

The Centre, further emphasised the urgent need for stringent measures to curb and control the NLFT and ATTF's actions and is also of the opinion that the aforesaid activities of NLFT and ATTF are detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, citing several alarming factors, like mobilize their cadres to escalate their secessionist, subversive, and violent activities; propagate anti-national activities in collusion with forces inimical to India's sovereignty and national integrity. Indulge in killings of civilians and targeting of the Police and Security Forces personnel; procure and induct illegal arms and ammunitions from across the international border, and extort and collect huge funds from the public for their unlawful activities.