New Delhi, October 18: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted a tribunal headed by Justice Nelson Sailo of the Gauhati High Court to determine whether sufficient cause exists for declaring the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) an unlawful association.

The tribunal has been formed under the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 5 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

This move follows the Centre’s September 22 decision to extend the ban on NSCN-K — including all its factions, wings, and front organisations — for another five years, citing its involvement in activities prejudicial to India’s sovereignty and integrity. The ban came into effect on September 28 and will remain in force for five years.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 5 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the central government hereby constitutes The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal consisting of Shri Justice Nelson Sailo, Judge of the Gauhati High Court, for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) [NSCN (K)] with all its factions, wings and front organisations as Unlawful Association,” read the MHA notification.

The MHA had earlier stated that the NSCN-K was involved in kidnapping for ransom, extortion from businessmen, government officials and civilians, and in possession of illegal arms and ammunition. It also alleged that the group had received assistance from anti-India forces abroad for arms procurement and logistical support.

The NSCN-K, one of the key insurgent outfits operating in the Northeast, has previously been declared an unlawful association by the Centre. According to an earlier notification, “NSCN (K) has openly declared its aim to establish a sovereign Nagaland by carving out Naga-inhabited areas of India and Myanmar through secession from the Union of India.”