India Updates List of 67 Banned Terrorist Organizations and Unlawful Groups

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has released an updated list of 67 organizations that have been declared either terrorist groups or unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). This move is part of India's ongoing efforts to counter terrorism, separatism, and extremist activities threatening national security.

Out of the 67 groups, 45 are categorized as terrorist organizations under Section 35 of the UAPA and are included in the First Schedule of the Act. The remaining 22 organizations are classified as unlawful associations under Section 3(1) of the Act. These groups face strict legal action, including asset freezes, arrests, and restrictions on their activities.

The updated list includes well-known terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, and the Islamic State (ISIS), among others. Several insurgent outfits operating in the northeastern states, including the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), are also designated as terrorist organizations. Additionally, Sikh militant groups such as Babbar Khalsa International and Khalistan Zindabad Force, as well as left-wing extremist factions like the Communist Party of India (Maoist), have been listed.

The MHA has also classified organizations like the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and Popular Front of India (PFI) as unlawful associations. Various separatist factions in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and Jamaat-e-Islami, have also been banned.

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, serves as India's primary anti-terror law, allowing the government to designate groups as terrorist organizations or unlawful associations, thereby enabling swift legal action against them. Over the years, amendments to the UAPA have strengthened India's ability to curb terrorism by granting authorities powers such as freezing financial assets and restricting recruitment activities of these groups.

By continuously updating the list of banned organizations, the Indian government aims to address evolving threats and maintain national security against terrorist and extremist forces operating within and outside the country.