Centre bans Khalistan Liberation Force

New Delhi: Following apprehension of the revival of the Khalistan movement in Punjab, the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) has been banned under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In a notification issued on Wednesday, the Ministry banned KLF saying that the “Centre believes KLF is involved in terrorism as it has committed and participated in acts of terrorism in India”.

The Centre’s moves follows the National Investigation Agency (NIA) recommending the ban citing KLF’S involvement in “community-specific targeted killings in Punjab” and carrying out multiple terror attacks in the state between February 2016 and October 2017. The MHA also said that the KLF members India were getting financial and logistical support from their handlers based abroad.

The KLF is the 40th organisation to be banned under the UAPA. Among the 39 groups banned earlier include four Sikh extremist groups including Babbar Khalsa International, Khalistan Commando Force, Khalistan Zindabad Force and International Sikh Youth Federation.

The KLF came into existence in 1986 with the objective of establishing an independent state of Khalistan by secession of Punjab through violent means.

Founded by Aroor Singh, the outfit had been active in promoting secessionist activities till 1994. It was subsequently revived by Harminder Singh Mintoo who died of cardiac arrest in April 2018 in Patiala Central Jail where he was lodged.