National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) ban for an additional 5 years

 The Government of India, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has declared the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), commonly known as NSCN(K), as an "unlawful association." The ban was formally extended in September 2025 for an additional five years.

1. The Official Notification

• ·         Date of Declaration: The notification was issued on September 22, 2025.
• ·         Effective Date: The ban came into immediate effect from September 28, 2025.
• ·         Duration: The organisation has been declared unlawful for a period of 5 years.
• ·         Scope: The declaration covers the NSCN(K) along with all its factions, wings, and front organisations.

2. Legal Framework

The action was taken under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). Specifically, the government invoked Sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Act to enforce the ban.

3. Reasons for the Ban

The Ministry of Home Affairs cited several reasons for this decision, stating that the organisation’s activities were prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India. The primary grounds included:

• ·         Secessionist Objectives: The group has openly declared its aim to create a sovereign Nagaland by seceding from the Indian Union.
• ·         Violent Activities: Involvement in violent attacks against security forces and civilians. The MHA noted involvement in over 100 violent incidents since the previous ban.
• ·         Extortion and Kidnapping: The group engages in kidnapping for ransom and extortion from businessmen, government officials, and civilians to fund its operations.
• ·         Alliances with other Banned Groups: The NSCN(K) has maintained links with other unlawful associations in the Northeast (such as ULFA and groups in Manipur) and has sought shelter and aid from anti-India forces across the border.

4. Adjudication (Tribunal)

Following the ban, the Centre constituted a tribunal to adjudicate whether there was sufficient cause for the declaration.

• ·         Tribunal Head: The tribunal is headed by Justice Nelson Sailo, a judge of the Gauhati High Court.
• ·         Purpose: The tribunal's role is to examine the evidence provided by the government and determine the validity of the ban.

 The recent ban on the NSCN(K) creates a complex situation because the group has fractured into multiple factions. Here is the breakdown of how this ban affects the specific factions and the broader peace process as of December 2025:

THE ONGOING PEACE TALKS

The recent ban on the NSCN(K) creates a complex situation because the group has fractured into multiple factions. Here is the breakdown of how this ban affects the specific factions and the broader peace process as of December 2025:

The recent ban on the NSCN(K) creates a complex situation because the group has fractured into multiple factions. Here is the breakdown of how this ban affects the specific factions and the broader peace process as of December 2025:

1. Status of the Niki Sumi Faction

Despite the general ban on the NSCN(K), the Government of India has maintained a separate engagement track with the Niki Sumi faction.

• ·         Ceasefire Status: The ceasefire agreement with the NSCN (K) Niki Sumi faction was extended in September 2025. It is currently valid for another year, effective until September 7, 2026.
• ·         Active vs. Banned: While the "NSCN(K)" as a parent organisation is banned for "unlawful activities," the government distinguishes between the hostile factions (primarily the Yung Aung faction) and those that have joined the peace process (like Niki Sumi and Khango Konyak factions).
• ·         Recent Enforcement: However, the ceasefire does not grant total immunity. Security forces continue to enforce the law against violations of the Ceasefire Ground Rules. For instance, as recently as December 2025, security forces apprehended cadres of the Niki Sumi faction in Arunachal Pradesh (Tirap district) for possessing illegal arms, indicating that operations continue despite the truce.

2. Impact on Peace Talks (NSCN-IM & Others)

The ban primarily targets the hostile elements that have refused to join the negotiating table, but it casts a shadow over the broader peace efforts:

NSCN-IM Talks (Stuck): The negotiations with the largest group, NSCN-IM, remain in a stalemate ("stuck"). The core disagreements—primarily over the demand for a separate Naga Flag and Constitution—have not been resolved. The recent return of NSCN-IM leader Th. Muivah to his hometown in Ukhrul has revived public attention but has not yet yielded a diplomatic breakthrough.

Hostile Reaction: The NSCN(K) Yung Aung faction (which is based across the border in Myanmar and is the primary target of the ban) has condemned the 5-year ban extension, calling it a "declaration of war." This signals that this specific faction intends to continue its armed resistance rather than join the talks.

State Government's Stance: The Nagaland State Government, led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, continues to appeal for "unity" among all Naga Political Groups (NPGs). They are urging all factions to find a "common ground" to expedite the settlement, but the fragmentation of the groups makes this difficult.

The recent ban on the NSCN(K) creates a complex situation because the group has fractured into multiple factions. Here is the breakdown of how this ban affects the specific factions and the broader peace process as of December 2025:

1. Status of the Niki Sumi Faction

Despite the general ban on the NSCN(K), the Government of India has maintained a separate engagement track with the Niki Sumi faction.

• Ceasefire Status: The ceasefire agreement with the NSCN (K) Niki Sumi faction was extended in September 2025. It is currently valid for another year, effective until September 7, 2026.¹
• Active vs. Banned: While the "NSCN(K)" as a parent organisation is banned for "unlawful activities," the government distinguishes between the hostile factions (primarily the Yung Aung faction) and those that have joined the peace process (like Niki Sumi and Khango Konyak factions).
• Recent Enforcement: However, the ceasefire does not grant total immunity. Security forces continue to enforce the law against violations of the Ceasefire Ground Rules. For instance, as recently as December 2025, security forces apprehended cadres of the Niki Sumi faction in Arunachal Pradesh (Tirap district) for possessing illegal arms, indicating that operations continue despite the truce.

2. Impact on Peace Talks (NSCN-IM & Others)

The ban primarily targets the hostile elements that have refused to join the negotiating table, but it casts a shadow over the broader peace efforts:

• NSCN-IM Talks (Stuck): The negotiations with the largest group, NSCN-IM, remain in a stalemate ("stuck").² The core disagreements—primarily over the demand for a separate Naga Flag and Constitution—have not been resolved.³ The recent return of NSCN-IM leader Th. Muivah to his hometown in Ukhrul has revived public attention but has not yet yielded a diplomatic breakthrough.⁴
• Hostile Reaction: The NSCN(K) Yung Aung faction (which is based across the border in Myanmar and is the primary target of the ban) has condemned the 5-year ban extension, calling it a "declaration of war."⁵ This signals that this specific faction intends to continue its armed resistance rather than join the talks.
• State Government's Stance: The Nagaland State Government, led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, continues to appeal for "unity" among all Naga Political Groups (NPGs).⁶ They are urging all factions to find a "common ground" to expedite the settlement, but the fragmentation of the groups makes this difficult.⁷

Summary Table: Faction Status

Faction	Leader	Status (Dec 2025)	Stance
NSCN (K) - Yung Aung	Yung Aung	BANNED	Hostile; actively targeted by the 5-year ban; operates from Myanmar.
NSCN (K) - Niki	Niki Sumi	CEASEFIRE	Ceasefire extended until Sep 2026; part of the peace process, but cadres still face arrest for violations.
NSCN (K) - Khango	Khango Konyak	CEASEFIRE	In a ceasefire, engaged in talks.
NSCN (IM)	Th. Muivah	CEASEFIRE	In the ceasefire, talks are engaged but currently stalled over Flag/Constitution issues.

 

SPECIFIC DETAILS ON THE CEASEFIRE GROUND RULES (CFGR).

These are the mutually agreed-upon "rules of engagement" signed between the Government of India (GoI) and the various NSCN factions (like NSCN-IM, NSCN-K Niki, NSCN-R, etc.).

While the ceasefire stops active warfare, it does not grant the groups total freedom. The rules are designed to contain the cadres in specific areas and prevent crime.

Here are the specific Do’s and Don’ts based on the official Ground Rules texts (standardised across most factions, including the Niki Sumi group):

1. Strictly Prohibited Activities (The "Red Lines")

Violation of these rules gives security forces (Army/Police) the right to take action, including arrests or raids.

• No Offensive Operations: No ambushes, raids, sniping, or attacks on security forces or civilians.
• No Public Display of Arms: Cadres cannot move around in towns, villages, or on highways in uniform or with visible weapons.
• No "Taxation" (Extortion): The rules explicitly ban "forcible collection of money," "extortion," and "intimidation of individuals" (including government officials and businessmen).
• Note: The insurgent groups often call this "taxation," but under the Ground Rules and Indian law, it is treated as extortion and is a punishable violation.
• No Forced Recruitment: The groups cannot forcibly recruit new cadres or abduct civilians for service.
• No Safe Havens: They cannot provide shelter or aid to other armed groups (e.g., groups from Manipur or ULFA) that are not in a ceasefire.
• No Blockades: They cannot block roads (National Highways) or disrupt economic and developmental activities.
• No New Arms: They are prohibited from acquiring additional military equipment or arms during the ceasefire period.

2. Rules on Camps and Movement

The ceasefire is not a "free pass" to roam anywhere. It limits cadres to specific zones.

• Designated Camps: All armed cadres must stay inside government-approved "Designated Camps."
• These camps cannot be located in populated areas, near National Highways, or near Security Force posts.
• Movement with Permission: If cadres need to move from one camp to another, they must give prior intimation to the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) and local security forces.
• Concealed Weapons: During approved movement, weapons must be concealed (hidden). They cannot be flaunted in public.
• Identity Cards: Only a select number of senior leaders are issued official ID cards that allow them to move with personal security (usually one bodyguard with a concealed weapon).

3. Enforcement Mechanism

• CFMG / CFSB: The rules are monitored by the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) or the Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB).
• This body is usually headed by a retired senior police or army officer (currently Lt Gen (Retd) Amarjeet Singh Bedi).
• They meet to resolve accusations of violations (e.g., if the Army arrests a cadre, the group complains to the CFMG; if the group kidnaps someone, the Police complain to the CFMG).
• Police Jurisdiction: The rules clarify that the Laws of the Land still apply. The State Police has the legal right to arrest any cadre found committing a crime (like abduction or robbery), regardless of the ceasefire.

4. Why Niki Sumi Cadres Are Still Arrested

To connect this back to your previous question: When you see news of Niki Sumi or NSCN-IM cadres being arrested in places like Tirap (Arunachal) or Dimapur, it is usually because they violated Rule #1 (Extortion) or Rule #2 (Movement).

• Example: If a cadre is caught collecting money from a shopkeeper in Dimapur, he is violating the "No Extortion" rule.
• Example: If a group of cadres is caught moving with AK-47s in a civilian car without permission, they are violating the "No Public Display of Arms" rule.

 

1. References for NSCN(K) Ban and Status (Response 1 & 2)

Information Provided	Reference Source Type	Key Details
NSCN(K) Ban Extension (Yung Aung Faction)	Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Notification & Press Reports	MHA Notification No. S.O. 4241(E) dated September 22, 2025, published in the Gazette of India. Ban extended for five years (effective Sept 28, 2025) under Sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the UAPA, 1967.
Reasons for the Ban	MHA Notification Document	Cited reasons include secessionist aims, involvement in extortion/kidnapping, procuring arms from anti-India forces, and attacks on security forces.
Tribunal Constitution	MHA Notification & Press Reports	Justice Nelson Sailo, Judge of the Gauhati High Court, was constituted as the head of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal (Notification dated October 17, 2025).
NSCN(K) Niki Sumi Ceasefire Status	Official Statement & Press Reports	The ceasefire agreement with the NSCN (K) Niki Sumi faction was extended for one year, effective until September 7, 2026 (signed in New Delhi on/around September 9, 2025).
NSCN-IM Peace Talk Status	News Analysis & Press Reports	Negotiations with NSCN-IM are reported to be "stalled" or "stuck" over the demands for a separate Naga Flag and Constitution.

 

This is a compilation of the primary sources and references used to construct the three previous responses. The information is drawn from official government notifications, tribunal documents, and credible news reports covering these developments.

1. References for NSCN(K) Ban and Status (Response 1 & 2)

Information Provided	Reference Source Type	Key Details
NSCN(K) Ban Extension (Yung Aung Faction)	Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Notification & Press Reports	MHA Notification No. S.O. 4241(E) dated September 22, 2025, published in the Gazette of India. Ban extended for five years (effective Sept 28, 2025) under Sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the UAPA, 1967.
Reasons for the Ban	MHA Notification Document	Cited reasons include secessionist aims, involvement in extortion/kidnapping, procuring arms from anti-India forces, and attacks on security forces.
Tribunal Constitution	MHA Notification & Press Reports	Justice Nelson Sailo, Judge of the Gauhati High Court, was constituted as the head of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal (Notification dated October 17, 2025).
NSCN(K) Niki Sumi Ceasefire Status	Official Statement & Press Reports	The ceasefire agreement with the NSCN (K) Niki Sumi faction was extended for one year, effective until September 7, 2026 (signed in New Delhi on/around September 9, 2025).
NSCN-IM Peace Talk Status	News Analysis & Press Reports	Negotiations with NSCN-IM are reported to be "stalled" or "stuck" over the demands for a separate Naga Flag and Constitution.

---

2. References for Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR) (Response 3)

The specifics of the Ceasefire Ground Rules are based on the Revised Text of Agreed Ground Rules for Ceasefire, which form the template for all subsequent agreements with the various NSCN factions, including the Niki Sumi group.

Specific Rule / Detail	Reference Source Type	Key Clause / Principle
Prohibition of Extortion/Taxation	CFGR Document (e.g., 2001, 2021 versions)	Prohibits "forcible collection of money," "extortion," and "intimidation of individuals."
Camps and Movement	CFGR Document (2001 Revised Text)	Requires cadres to be located in "Designated Camps" (not near populated areas/highways). Movement between camps requires prior intimation to the CFMG.
Weapons Display	CFGR Document (2001 Revised Text)	Prohibits cadres from moving in uniform or with visible weapons outside designated camps. Weapons must be concealed during approved movement.
Monitoring Mechanism	CFGR Document and MHA Statements	Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) or Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB) is established to oversee adherence to the ground rules and adjudicate violations.
Legality	CFGR Document and Indian Penal Code	The agreement clarifies that the "Laws of the Land" still apply, meaning the police have jurisdiction to arrest for criminal acts (like kidnapping or carrying illegal arms) even during a ceasefire.

 

References

1. NSCN(K) Ban and Tribunal

The ban is based on an official notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and subsequent orders from the appointed Tribunal.

Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. (2025, September 22). Declaration of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) [NSCN (K)] as an Unlawful Association (Notification No. S.O. 4241(E)). The Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii).

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal. (2025, October 29). In the Matter of: National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) [NSCN (K)] (Order dated October 29, 2025). Gauhati High Court, Registrar. [Used for details on Tribunal head Justice Nelson Sailo and the reasons cited for the ban.]

2. Niki Sumi Ceasefire Status

The ceasefire status is confirmed by official press releases and subsequent credible news reporting on the agreement's renewal.

Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. (2025, September 9). Ceasefire Agreement extended with NSCN (K) Niki Sumi Faction [Press release/Statement]. [Used for confirmation of ceasefire extension until September 7, 2026.]

Eastern Mirror. (2025, September 9). Centre extends ceasefire with Niki-led NSCN/GPRN for one year. [Used for details on the signing parties and the agreement's effective date.]

3. Ceasefire Ground Rules (CFGR)

The details of the ground rules are sourced from the official documents signed by the parties, which are often republished in media and academic sources.

Government of India & NSCN. (2001, January 13). Revised Text of Agreed Ground Rules for Cease-fire, 2001 [Bilateral Agreement]. [Used as the primary source for specific clauses like "no extortion," "designated camps," and rules on concealed weapons and movement.]

Waterman, A. (2020). Ceasefires and state order-making in Naga Northeast India. International Peacekeeping, 28(24), 1–30. [Used for context on the evolution and ambiguity of the ceasefire rules, particularly beyond the state of Nagaland.]