India Extends Five-Year Ban on NSCN(K) Under UAPA

The Government of India has officially renewed the ban on the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) [NSCN(K)] for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued the notification declaring NSCN(K), along with all its wings, factions, and front organisations, an “unlawful association.” The ban takes effect from 28 September 2025 and will remain in place until 28 September 2030, unless withdrawn earlier. This declaration empowers the government to take stringent measures against the organisation, including arrests, seizure of properties, and disruption of its networks.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah. PTI File | Firstpost

Grounds for the Ban

The government has justified the renewal on multiple grounds, most prominently the group’s secessionist objectives. NSCN(K) has long advocated for the creation of a sovereign Nagaland, or “Nagalim,” encompassing Naga-inhabited regions in India and parts of Myanmar. Authorities argue that the organisation has been directly involved in violent activities and has maintained alliances with other insurgent outfits such as the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA-I), the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).

In addition to ideological motivations, NSCN(K) has been accused of running extortion rackets, carrying out kidnappings, and engaging in arms trafficking. The government also cites the outfit’s alleged links with anti-India forces abroad, which provide external support for its operations. These factors collectively reinforce the perception that NSCN(K) poses a grave threat to national security and territorial integrity.

Activities Since the Previous Ban

Between September 2020 and April 2025, security agencies recorded several incidents involving NSCN(K). Thirteen cadres were killed during operations by police and armed forces, while 85 members were arrested and 69 others surrendered. Authorities registered 71 criminal cases, filed 56 charge sheets, and prosecuted 35 members. In addition, 51 incidents of violence were linked to the group during this period.

The crackdown also resulted in the recovery of significant caches of arms and explosives, including 69 weapons, 52 magazines, 931 live rounds of ammunition, 10 grenades, 150 detonators, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These figures highlight the continuing operational capabilities of NSCN(K), even after years of government action and previous bans.

Historical Background of NSCN(K)

The NSCN traces its roots to 1980, when it emerged as a breakaway faction from the Naga National Council. Over time, internal divisions led to the formation of two key groups: NSCN(IM), led by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, and NSCN(K), led by S. S. Khaplang in 1988. While NSCN(IM) entered into peace talks with the Indian government, NSCN(K) maintained a more militant stance, often rejecting ceasefire agreements.

S. S. Khaplang, a Hemi Naga leader from Myanmar, remained at the helm until his death in 2017. His leadership ensured strong cross-border presence, with the group establishing camps and operational bases in Myanmar. After Khaplang’s death, the organisation experienced internal power struggles and factionalism, but it continued to wield influence, particularly in Nagaland’s northern districts and across the Indo-Myanmar border.

Implications for Security and Peace

Renewing the ban carries both security and political implications. Legally, it gives the government expanded powers to dismantle the organisation’s networks and prosecute its members under UAPA. Strategically, it signals that NSCN(K) remains outside the framework of dialogue and peace talks, unlike NSCN(IM) and other factions engaged in negotiations with New Delhi.

This decision also highlights the challenges of addressing cross-border insurgencies. NSCN(K)’s bases in Myanmar complicate counterinsurgency operations, as the group can exploit difficult terrain and porous borders. The renewed ban may also influence India’s coordination with Myanmar in tackling insurgent groups operating along the frontier.

The MGMM Outlook

The renewal of the ban on NSCN(K) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act once again shows that India remains uncompromising when it comes to threats against national unity and sovereignty. For decades, NSCN(K) has tried to destabilize the Northeast by pushing a secessionist agenda, running extortion rackets, and forming alliances with other insurgent outfits. Despite sustained crackdowns and arrests, the outfit has continued to engage in kidnappings, arms trafficking, and violent attacks, proving that its ideology and cross-border support remain active dangers to India’s internal security. By extending the ban, the government has ensured that it can legally dismantle NSCN(K)’s networks, cut off its funding, and prosecute its cadres more effectively.

At the same time, this step makes it clear that militant groups that reject peace talks and persist with violence cannot expect legitimacy or accommodation. NSCN(K)’s decision to stay outside the negotiation framework, unlike NSCN(IM) and other factions, has only pushed it further into isolation. The ban also reflects India’s strategic awareness of the cross-border dimension of such insurgencies, where Myanmar’s difficult terrain and porous borders have given militants a safe haven. By acting firmly, New Delhi is sending a strong message — that while dialogue and development are open for those who choose peace, there will be zero tolerance for armed secessionist movements that challenge India’s territorial integrity.

(Sources: Firstpost, Times of India, Hindustan Times)