Following an extensive review of evidence, an Unlawful Activities Prevention Act or UAPA tribunal has upheld the ban on the National Liberation Front of Tripura-NLFT and All Tripura Tiger Force-ATTF, along with their factions, wings, and associated organisations. The tribunal cited the involvement of these groups’ cadres in criminal activities such as kidnapping for ransom and extortion. Notably, these activities have been orchestrated from across the border in Bangladesh, where the groups are also reported to possess significant assets.
According to the tribunal’s findings, the NLFT and ATTF have been actively seeking to expand their influence by recruiting new members and garnering support for their secessionist agenda. Moreover, the groups are said to possess a considerable arsenal of weapons, further amplifying concerns about their potential to disrupt peace and stability in the region.
The Union Home Ministry had previously designated the NLFT and ATTF as “unlawful associations” under the UAPA in October 2023. Following this declaration, the tribunal meticulously examined the evidence supporting the ban and subsequently affirmed its decision in March. The tribunal’s ruling, made public this week, underscores the government’s steadfast commitment to combating insurgency and safeguarding the security of the region.
“In the absence of any materials against the declaration, the tribunal on an objective assessment of the materials placed before the tribunal on behalf of the Central Government and the Tripura Government in support of the declaration, has reached a conclusion that the two associations (NLFT and ATTF) during the period under consideration, have been engaging themselves in activities which are unlawful activities, which have the tendency to undermine the authority of the democratically elected governments at the Centre and in the State…,” mentioned the tribunal in its order.
The tribunal asserted that the unlawful activities orchestrated by these groups have instilled fear and terror among the populace, particularly in Tripura. Their violence-filled actions pose a grave threat to the security and integrity of the nation, as both organisations persistently pursue their secessionist agendas.
Furthermore, the tribunal pointed out that ample justification exists to designate these entities and their factions as unlawful associations. The evidence presented by the Centre and Tripura Government vividly illustrates the extent of their criminal activities and their detrimental impact on the region’s stability.
The material provided to the tribunal by the Centre and Tripura Government sheds light on the extensive network of the NLFT, which operates in collaboration with numerous insurgent outfits across the Northeast. These alliances were established with groups such as the Kangleipak Communist Party, Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup, Kamtapur Liberation Organisation, National Socialist Council of Nagaland and Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council.
“The (NTLF) outfit is found engaged in the supply of arms from Myanmar to Bangladesh-based outfits namely, United People Democratic Front and Marma Liberation Party,” stated the tribunal. It cited intelligence inputs and added they pointed out that NLFT was attempting to enhance its strength by taking advantage of the political turmoil in Bangladesh.
“The outfit has struck a deal with the forces inimical to Indo-Bangladesh friendship ties and they are determined to work together with an objective to create unrest in Bangladesh as well as to disintegrate Bharat,” said the tribunal. “It is expected that violent activities of the outfit will further rise if there is a change in the political climate in neighbouring country Bangladesh.”
Mentioning that ATTF’s armed cadres operate from camps in Bangladesh, the tribunal added, “Though the ATTF is not very active at present, its leaders or cadres had reorganised in October 2017 and they are continuing with illegal and subversive activities like protesting against the merger of Tripura with the Indian union,” it said. “The ATTF has connections with various north-east insurgent groups like National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Khaplang and Kamtapur Liberation Organisation.”
The tribunal said ATTF is maintaining its arms and ammunitions in Bangladesh as well as its network with other Indian insurgent organisations and anti-Indian forces in Bangladesh. “…there is a real threat of ATTF reviving its activities in the future if the political climate in Bangladesh and Tripura becomes favourable.”
