CCS extends ban on ULFA, NDFB, HNLC for two years

New Delhi, Nov 12 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) today extended the ban on ULFA, NDFB and HNLC for two years as these successionist organisations have been found to be involved in many recent cases of militancy in North-East.

The CCS meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and attended by Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Defence Minister A K Antony discussed the recent activities of these insurgent groups in detail particularly the involvement of ULFA and NDFB in the October 30 serial blasts in Assam and took the decision to extend ban on them for two years, sources said here.

The top leaders of these successionist organisations are based in Bangladesh and they work in tandem with each other to spread militancy in the North Eastern states of India.

The earlier ban on United Liberation Force of Asom was to expire on November 26 and the National Development Front of Bodoland on November 22 while that on HNLC on November 15.

The CCS made careful deliberations on the intelligence reports about the activities of these militant groups and then took the decision to extend ban on them. The government is especially cautrious after the embarrassment the government faced when the ban on SIMI was lifted by the Delhi High Court and it had to approach the Supreme Court to get it reinstated.

Since investigations have indicated that the ULFA provided logistic support to Huji and other militant groups for the serial blasts in Assam, the ban on it was extended.

The investigations have revealed that NDFB had served as foot soldier in the serial blasts which acted as the catalyst for extending the ban. It may also adversely affect its talks with the Centre for extending ceasefire.

However, the CCS decided not to extend ban on the Achik National Volunteer Council as it has shown improvement in conduct.

According to intelligence sources,Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) militants have taken shelter in Bangladesh and foment militancy in North Eastern states.

UNI AJ RP RK1830