• UGI USER
  • Nov 30, 2023
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Peace Accord with banned Meitei Insurgents

Why in News?

  • The Centre and Manipur government sign a peace agreement with UNLF, the oldest Meitei extremist group.
  • UNLF, banned under anti-terror laws, agrees to renounce violence and join mainstream democratic processes, according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Source:The Hindu

Peace Accord with UNLF in Manipur

  • The Centre and Manipur government have inked a peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest Meitei extremist group formed in 1964.
  • The group, operating within and outside Indian territory, is among eight Meitei extremist organizations declared unlawful under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
  • Recently, the ban on these groups, advocating Manipur’s secession, was extended for five years.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967

  • Enacted in 1967 post Sino-Indian and Indo-Pak Wars, addressing concerns about domestic violence and terrorism.

Objective

  • Aims to Prevent unlawful activities threatening India’s integrity, sovereignty, and security.

Unlawful Activities

  • Acts creating disaffection against the government.
  • Prejudicial to unity, integrity, defense, and friendly relations.
  • Promoting secession or inciting violence disrupting public harmony.

Key Provisions

  • Power to declare organizations as “unlawful associations.”
  • Authority to arrest and detain without a warrant.
  • Seizure of property used for unlawful activities.
  • Imposition of penalties on individuals and organizations engaged in such activities.
  • Introduced the concept of “unlawful associations” aiding in combating terrorism.

Major Breakthroughs

  • Successfully prosecuted cases like the 2008 Mumbai attacks, 2016 Pathankot attack, and 2019 Pulwama attack.
  • Used against the Indian Mujahideen, preventing potential terrorist acts and enhancing national security.