Centre Declares Tripura Based Outfits NLFT, ATTF Unlawful

The Centre has declared all factions and wings of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) as unlawful groups on Tuesday.

The declaration, made under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is effective from Wednesday (October 3), and will remain valid for a duration of five years, encompassing all factions, wings, and front organisations affiliated with these outfits, the reports said.

“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), (hereinafter referred to as the said Act) the Central Government hereby declares the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) along with all its factions, wings and front organisations and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) along with all its factions, wings and front organisations as unlawful associations”, the government said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, quoted India Today report. 

As per the statement, the Centre also outlined its reasons for declaring the NLFT and ATTF as unlawful. The reasons are as follows: “Engaging in subversive and violent activities. maintaining close nexus with other unlawful associations of North Ewith the aim of mobilising their support, in pursuance of their aims and objectives in recent past, engaging in violent and unlawful activities which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, killing civilians and personnel belonging to the police and security forces, engaged in extortion of funds from the public including businessmen and traders in Tripura, establishing and maintaining camps in neighbouring countries for the purpose of safe sanctuary, training. procurement of arms and ammunitions,” the report said.

According to the statement, the Centre is also of the opinion that the aforesaid activities of the NLFT and the ATTF are "detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India".

The Centre, further emphasised the urgent need for stringent measures to curb and control the NLFT and ATTF's actions, citing several alarming factors, like: "Mobilise their cadres to escalate their secessionist, subversive, and violent activities; Propagate anti-national activities in collusion with forces inimical to India's sovereignty and national integrity: Indulge in killings of civilians and targeting of the Police and Security Forces personnel; Procure and induct illegal arms and ammunitions from across the international border; and Extort and collect huge funds from the public for their unlawful activities," the report mentioned.