New Delhi: On September 22, 2025, the Indian central government announced a decisive step to extend the ban on the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), or NSCN(K), along with all its factions, wings, and front organizations, for an additional five years. This prohibition, effective from September 28, 2025, is enacted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), as the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cited the group’s persistent threat to India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The NSCN(K): A Persistent Threat to National Security
The NSCN(K), originally formed by S.S. Khaplang, a Myanmarese Naga who led the outfit until his death in 2017, has long been a significant player in the Northeast’s insurgent landscape. Now under the leadership of two of Khaplang’s deputies, the group continues to pursue its stated objective of establishing a sovereign Nagaland, encompassing Naga-inhabited areas across the India-Myanmar border, through secession from the Indian Union. This separatist agenda has positioned NSCN(K) as a direct challenge to India’s unity.
According to the MHA’s notification, NSCN(K) has forged alliances with other outlawed organizations, including the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) [ULFA(I)], the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). These partnerships amplify its capacity to destabilize the region. Beyond ideological pursuits, the group engages in a range of criminal activities, including kidnapping for ransom, extorting money from businessmen, government officials, and civilians, and amassing illegal arms and ammunition. NSCN(K) has also sought assistance from anti-India forces abroad to procure weapons and other resources, further escalating its threat.
Between September 28, 2020, and April 30, 2025, law enforcement agencies recorded significant actions against NSCN(K). Authorities registered 71 criminal cases, filed 56 charge sheets, and prosecuted 35 cadres. Additionally, 51 other criminal incidents were linked to the group. Security operations resulted in the arrest of 85 members, while 69 others surrendered. In confrontations with police and security forces, 13 underground cadres were killed. Seizures during this period included 69 firearms, 52 magazines, 931 live rounds, 10 grenades, 150 detonators, three explosive gel tubes, 200 grams of trinitrotoluene (TNT), a 1.5-kilogram improvised explosive device (IED), and 800 grams of other explosives. These figures highlight the group’s active militancy and the government’s robust response.
The state governments of Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh have unanimously recommended declaring NSCN(K) an unlawful association under UAPA, citing its detrimental impact on regional stability. The MHA emphasized that without immediate action, NSCN(K) could regroup, expand its ranks, acquire sophisticated weaponry, and intensify its anti-national activities, potentially leading to loss of life among civilians and security personnel.
Under Section 3(1) of the UAPA, the central government has officially designated NSCN(K) and its affiliates as an unlawful association, with the ban taking effect immediately from September 28, 2025, for five years, subject to any review under Section 4 of the Act. This renewal continues a decades-long pattern of periodic bans, reflecting the group’s enduring challenge to India’s security framework.
Notably, the rival faction, NSCN-IM, is engaged in ongoing peace talks with the central government, aiming to resolve the seven-decade-old Naga insurgency. This contrast underscores the fragmented nature of Naga militant groups and the varied approaches to achieving peace.
Why Insurgency Persists in Northeast India
The NSCN(K)’s activities are part of a broader insurgency problem in Northeast India, a region marked by ethnic diversity, geopolitical complexities, and socioeconomic challenges. Understanding the root causes is essential to contextualizing the government’s actions.
- Political Alienation: The Northeast’s history of perceived neglect, rooted in colonial and post-colonial governance, has fostered a sense of marginalization. Limited political representation at the national level has deepened feelings of exclusion, fueling separatist sentiments.
- Ethnic and Cultural Aspirations: The region is home to numerous tribal communities, each with distinct identities and demands for autonomy. When these aspirations are unmet through democratic means, they often manifest as armed movements, as seen with groups like NSCN(K).
- Development Deficit: Economic stagnation, characterized by inadequate infrastructure, scarce job opportunities, and high unemployment, creates fertile ground for insurgent recruitment. The lack of investment has perpetuated poverty, driving disenfranchised youth toward militancy.
- Geopolitical Factors: The Northeast’s rugged terrain and porous borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh facilitate insurgent activities. These borders enable the free movement of militants, arms, and contraband, providing safe havens and logistical support for groups like NSCN(K).
These factors, intertwined with historical grievances, have sustained insurgency in states like Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh, making it a persistent challenge for India’s security and governance apparatus.
Government’s Multi-Pronged Approach to Peace
Recognizing the complexity of the Northeast’s challenges, the Indian government has adopted a holistic strategy that combines security measures, dialogue, constitutional provisions, and developmental initiatives to foster lasting peace.
Peace and Dialogue
The government has prioritized negotiations to resolve conflicts. Historical successes include the Mizo Peace Accord of 1986, which brought stability to Mizoram, and the Bodo Peace Accord of 2020, addressing demands in Assam’s Bodoland region. These agreements demonstrate the potential of dialogue to de-escalate tensions and integrate dissenting groups into the mainstream.
Inter-State Boundary Agreements
Resolving territorial disputes has been a key focus. In 2023, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh signed a landmark agreement to settle their long-standing border issues. Similarly, in 2022, Assam and Meghalaya resolved contentious boundary disputes, reducing ethnic tensions and fostering regional cooperation.
Constitutional Provisions
The Indian Constitution provides tailored mechanisms for the Northeast. The Fifth and Sixth Schedules grant autonomy to tribal areas through district councils and self-governance structures. Article 371(A) offers special protections for Nagaland, safeguarding its customary laws and land rights, which helps balance local traditions with national integration.
Developmental Initiatives
Economic progress is central to the government’s strategy. Schemes like the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education, and livelihood programs. Increased funding for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) ensures targeted investments, aiming to reduce economic disparities and curb the appeal of militancy.
The government believes that a balanced approach—integrating sustained dialogue, accelerated development, stronger border management, and community participation—is critical to achieving enduring peace and integrating the Northeast into India’s broader growth story.
Implications and the Road Ahead
The extension of the NSCN(K) ban underscores the government’s commitment to countering separatist threats. However, it also highlights the ongoing challenges in resolving the Northeast’s insurgency. The progress in peace talks with NSCN-IM offers hope for a broader resolution, but the persistence of groups like NSCN(K) suggests that a purely security-based approach may not suffice.
Experts advocate for complementary measures, such as enhanced intelligence operations, cross-border cooperation with Myanmar to curb insurgent movements, and youth empowerment programs to address unemployment and alienation. Community-driven initiatives that amplify local voices and address cultural aspirations could further weaken the appeal of militancy.
As the Northeast evolves, the government faces the dual task of maintaining security while fostering inclusive development. The ban, effective from September 28, 2025, is a step toward curbing immediate threats, but long-term success hinges on addressing the root causes of unrest—political, economic, and cultural.
Conclusion
The Indian government’s decision to extend the ban on NSCN(K) for five more years reflects its resolve to protect national sovereignty amid ongoing insurgent challenges in the Northeast. By combining stringent security measures with dialogue, constitutional safeguards, and developmental efforts, India aims to transform the region into a hub of prosperity and unity. As the nation navigates this complex landscape, the focus remains on balancing enforcement with empathy, ensuring that the Northeast’s diverse communities find a place within India’s vibrant democracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why has the Indian government extended the ban on NSCN(K) for five more years?
The Indian government extended the ban on the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) [NSCN(K)] and its factions, effective from September 28, 2025, due to its activities threatening India’s sovereignty and integrity. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) highlighted NSCN(K)’s separatist goal of creating a sovereign Nagaland through secession, its alliances with other banned groups like ULFA(I), PREPAK, and PLA, and its involvement in criminal activities such as extortion, kidnapping, and illegal arms possession. The decision is supported by evidence of 71 criminal cases, 85 arrests, and significant arms seizures between September 2020 and April 2025.
2. What is the NSCN(K), and what are its objectives?
The NSCN(K) is a Naga militant group formed by S.S. Khaplang, who led it until his death in 2017. Now managed by his deputies, the group seeks to establish an independent Nagaland, incorporating Naga-inhabited areas across the India-Myanmar border, by seceding from India. It engages in insurgent activities, extortion, and collaborates with other militant outfits, posing a significant challenge to regional stability and national security.
3. What actions has the government taken against NSCN(K) in recent years?
Between September 28, 2020, and April 30, 2025, security forces registered 71 cases against NSCN(K) cadres, filed 56 charge sheets, and prosecuted 35 members. Additionally, 85 cadres were arrested, 69 surrendered, and 13 were killed in encounters. Authorities seized 69 firearms, 931 live rounds, 10 grenades, and various explosives, including a 1.5-kilogram IED. These efforts reflect a robust crackdown on the group’s operations.
4. What are the root causes of insurgency in Northeast India, including NSCN(K)’s activities?
Insurgency in Northeast India, including NSCN(K)’s actions, stems from multiple factors: political alienation due to perceived neglect and limited representation, ethnic and cultural aspirations for autonomy among diverse tribal communities, economic underdevelopment marked by unemployment and poor infrastructure, and geopolitical challenges like porous borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, which facilitate insurgent movement and arms smuggling.
5. How is the Indian government addressing the broader insurgency issue in the Northeast?
The government employs a multi-pronged strategy, including peace negotiations (e.g., Mizo Peace Accord of 1986 and Bodo Peace Accord of 2020), resolving inter-state boundary disputes (e.g., Assam-Arunachal Pradesh in 2023), constitutional provisions like the Fifth and Sixth Schedules and Article 371(A) for Nagaland, and developmental initiatives such as PM-DevINE and increased funding for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER). This approach aims to combine dialogue, development, and security measures for lasting peace.
