Order dated 26.03.2024 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal adjudicating the notification 03.10.2023 in the matter of NLFT and ATTF of Tripura

रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-20052024-254266 CG-DxLx-xEG-I2D0H0x5x2x0 24-254266 xxxGIDExxx असाधारण EXTRAORDINARY भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii) PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii) प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY स.ं 1922] नई दिल्ली, सोमिार, मई 20, 2024/ििै ाख 30, 1946 No. 1922] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, MAY 20, 2024/VAISAKHA 30, 1946 गहृ मत्रं ालय अजधसचू ना नई दिल् ली, 20 मई, 2024 का.आ. 2020(अ).— गौहाटी उच्च न्यायालय के न्यायाधीि माननीय श्री न्यायमूर्ति मनीष चौधरी की अध्यक्षता में गठित अजधकरण, जिसको जिजधजिरुद्ध दियाकलाप (जनिारण) अजधजनयम, 1967 की धारा 4(1) के अंतगित यह न्याय- जनणिय करने का मामला भेिा गया था दक निे नल जलब्रेिन फ्रंट ऑफ जत्रपुरा (एनएलएफटी) और ऑल जत्रपुरा टाइगर फोस ि (एटीटीएफ) को जिजधजिरुद्ध संगम के रूप म ेंघोजषत करने के जलए पयािप्त कारण ह ैया नहीं, के आिेि दिनांक 26.03.2024 को जिजधजिरुद्ध दियाकलाप (जनिारण ) अजधजनयम, 1967 की धारा 4 (4) के अनुसार आम िानकारी के जलए प्रकाजित दकया िाता ह ै। (आििे इस अजधसूचना के अग्रं िे ी भाग म ेंछपा ह।ै ) [फा. सं. 11011/02/2023-एनई. V] जपयूष गोयल, अपर सजचि 3103 GI/2024 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 20th May, 2024 S.O. 2020(E).— In terms of Section 4(4) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the order dated 26.03.2024 of the Tribunal presided over by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Manish Choudhury, Judge of the Gauhati High Court, to whom a reference was made under Section 4(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) as unlawful associations is published for general information. [F. No. 11011/02/2023-NE. V] PIYUSH GOYAL, Addl. Secy. UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES [PREVENTION] TRIBUNAL IN THE MATTER OF NLFT AND ATTF IN THE MATTER OF :- Notification bearing no. S.O. 4292[E] dated 03.10.2023, published in the Gazette of India in its issue dated 03.10.2023, declaring 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’ in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section [1] of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act, 1967 [Act no. 37 of 1967]. – AND – IN THE MATTER OF :- Notification bearing no. S.O. 4579[E] dated 19.10.2023, published in the Gazette of India in its issue dated 19.10.2023 and issued in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section [1] of Section 5 of the Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act, 1967, constituting ‘the Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Tribunal’, for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] and the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] as unlawful associations. – AND – IN THE MATTER OF :- Reference under sub-section [1] of Section 4 of the Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act, 1967 made to the Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Tribunal by the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs vide Letter bearing no. 11011/02/2023-NE.V dated 23.10.2023. BEFORE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE MANISH CHOUDHURY PRESIDING OFFICER For the Union of India : Mr. Subhash Chandra Keyal, Advocate Mr. Pabitra Sankar Bhattacharyya, Advocate For the State of Tripura : Mr. Debojit Senapati, Advocate Mr. Anuran Chetia, Advocate Ms. Shravana Katakey, Advocate For the Tribunal : Sri Saptarshi Garg, Registrar, Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Tribunal Date of Order : 26.03.2024[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3 1. In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section [1] of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act, 1967 [Act no. 37 of 1967] [hereinafter also referred to as ‘the UA[P] Act’, 1967 or ‘the UA[P] Act’, at places, for easy reference], the Central Government in the Ministry of Home Affairs by issuing a Notification bearing no. S.O. 4292[E] dated 03.10.2023, published in the Gazette of India in its issue dated 03.10.2023, has declared 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’. 2. The Notification bearing no. S.O. 4292[E] dated 03.10.2023 has inter-alia mentioned the grounds for which the Central Government is of the opinion that the said two orgainsations, the National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] and the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] along with all their factions, wings and front organisations should be declared as unlawful associations. The relevant excerpts of the Notification dated 03.10.2023 are reproduced hereinbelow :- Whereas the National Liberation Front of Tripura and the various wings thereof [hereinafter referred to as the NLFT] and All Tripura Tiger Force [hereinafter referred to as the ATTF] have, as their professed aim, establishment of an independent nation by secession of Tripura from India through armed struggle in alliance with other armed secessionist organisations of Tripura and to incite indigenous people of Tripura for such secession; And whereas, the Central Government is of the opinion that the NLFT and the ATTF have been, - [i] engaging in subversive and violent activities, thereby undermining the authority of the Government and spreading terror and violence among the people for achieving their objectives; [ii] maintaining close nexus with other unlawful associations of North East with the aim of mobilising their support; [iii] 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; [iv] killing civilians and personnel belonging to the police and security forces; [v] engaged in extortion of funds from the public including businessmen and traders in Tripura; and [vi] establishing and maintaining camps in neighbouring countries for the purpose of safe sanctuary, training, procurement of arms and ammunitions, etc; And whereas, the Central Government is also of the opinion that the aforesaid activities of the NLFT and ATTF are detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India and that they are unlawful associations; And whereas, the Central Government is also of the opinion that if there is no immediate curb and control of the NLFT and the ATTF they will take the opportunity to, - [i] mobilise their cadres for escalating their secessionist, subversive, and violent activities; [ii] propagate anti-national activities in collusion with forces inimical to India’s sovereignty and national integrity; [iii] indulge in killings of civilians and targeting of the Police and Security Forces personnel; [iv] procure and induct illegal arms and ammunitions from across the international border; and [v] extort and collect huge funds from the public for their unlawful activities. 3. By another Notification bearing no. S.O. 4579[E] dated 19.10.2023, published in the Gazette of India in its issue dated 19.10.2023, the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section [1] of Section 5 of the UA[P] Act, 1967, has constituted this Tribunal for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] and the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] as unlawful associations. 4. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India by an Order bearing no. 11011/02/2023-NE.V dated 20.10.2023 issued under the hand of Sri R.K. Pandey, Director [NE-II], North East Division, Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed Sri Saptarshi Garg, Joint Registrar [Vigilance], Gauhati High Court as the Registrar of the Tribunal in the matter of the National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] and the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF], constituted vide the Notification bearing no. S.O. 4579[E] dated 19.10.2023. 5. The provisions of sub-section [1] of Section 4 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 requires that where any association has been declared unlawful by a notification issued under sub-section [1] of Section 3, the Central Government shall, within thirty days from the date of publication of the notification under the said sub-section, refer the notification to the Tribunal for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the association unlawful. The Reference has been made to this Tribunal by the Central Government under Section 4[1] of the UA[P] Act, 1967 vide a Letter bearing no. 11011/02/2023-NE.V dated 23.10.2023. A Brief on the National Liberation Front4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] of Tripura [NLFT] and the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF], including their aims/objectives and violent activities, has been forwarded with the Reference. 6. The Brief regarding the aims/objectives and violent activities of the National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] and the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] contained a summary both on 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. 7. As per the Brief, both the National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] and the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] were initially declared as unlawful associations from 03.04.1997. Since April, 1997, these declarations are continuously extended. 7.1. In so far as the National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] is concerned, the Brief has mentioned as under:- [i] The NLFT was formed in June, 1989. The goal of the NLFT is secession of Tripura from the Indian Union through armed struggles in alliance with other armed secessionist organisations of the North Eastern region. In February, 2001, Nayanbasi Jamatia, one of the top leaders of the NLFT came out of the outfit along with his followers and formed a new group with the name of NLFT[N]. A Memorandum of Settlement was signed with the NLFT[N] on 17.12.2004, after which some cadres of the NLFT[N] joined the mainstream. However, majority of cadres of the NLFT under the leadership of Biswamohan Debbarma continued to indulge in violence, particularly along the international border of Bangladesh. This faction of the NLFT is known as NLFT[B]. In August, 2019, 88 cadres of the NLFT[B] along with 44 weapons led by Sabir Debbarma surrendered before the authorities after signing of a Memorandum of Settlement and majority of the cadres joined the mainstream. During 2020, another faction of the NLFT under the leadership of Parimal Debbarma became active in parts of the State of Tripura. Therefore, both the factions – NLFT[B] and NLFT[PD] – are found active in their violent and illegal activities. [ii] The faction of NLFT[B] has continued to remain active in Khowai and Dhalai districts of Tripura along the Indo-Bangladesh border and has maintained four camps/hideouts in Bangladesh and one in Myanmar, while the faction of NLFT[PD] has been found active in Khowai, Sepahijala and West Tripura districts of Tripura. The faction of NLFT[PD] is found to have maintained two camps/hideouts in Bangladesh. As per the Brief, the faction of NLFT[B] has an estimated cadre strength of around 30-35 and it is found operating from their hideouts in Bangladesh. The faction of NLFT[PD] is estimated to have a cadre strength of 17. The faction of NLFT[B] is in possession of 25 sophisticated arms and explosives including AK series rifles, while the estimated weapon holding of the NLFT[PD] faction is about 10. [iii] The NLFT has been working in close nexus with other North-East insurgent organisations having their bases in Bangladesh, including Kangleipak Communist Party [KCP], Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup [KYKL], Kamtapur Liberation Organisation [KLO], National Socialist Council of Nagaland [IM] [NSCN-IM] and Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council [HNLC]. The outfit is found engaged in supply of arms from Myanmar to Bangladesh based outfits namely, United People Democratic Front [UPDF] and Marma Liberation Party [MLP]. [iv] Since 03.11.2018 till February, 2023, a total of 36 nos. of cases under the UA[P] Act, 1967 have been registered and 87 persons have been arrested in these registered cases along with recovery of arms and ammunitions. Charge sheets have been filed in 16 out of these 36 nos. of cases. During the period from the last notification under the UA[P] Act, 1967 till May, 2023, various factions of the NLFT were responsible for three violent incidents, killing of 3 security personnel and kidnapping of 3 persons. Besides these incidents, 4 nos. of cases of arms recovery, surrender of 56 nos. of arms and surrender of 144 nos. of extremists had also taken place. [v] Three BSF personnel were killed in the years 2021 and 2022 in North Tripura and Dhalai districts of Tripura in targeted attacks by the NLFT cadres. Incidents of snatching of arms of security personnel had also taken place. In November, 2020, cadres of the NLFT demanded extortion from a ration dealer in Dhalai district of Tripura. In December, 2020, three workers engaged in border fencing works in Dhalai district were abducted by the NLFT cadres for ransom. The outfit has been extorting money from contractors engaged in works along the Indo-Bangladesh border besides extorting money from shopkeepers, businessmen, government employees, contractors, villagers, etc. [vi] In 2019, the cadres of NLFT instigated public of Tripura against the Central Government on the issue of National Register of Citizens [NRC]. Pursuing its secessionist agenda, the NLFT issued calls in 2020 for boycott of the Republic Day and in October, 2021, the outfit called for protest against merger of Tripura in the Indian Union in 1949. After arrest of some of the key leaders of the NLFT in 2021 and 2022, another leader, Bikram Bahadur Jamatia @ Bomthom carried out subversive activities from Bangladesh and undertook recruitment drives.[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5 [vii] During 2020, the NLFT faction led by Parimal Debbarma indulged in criminal activities including abduction, extortion in Dhalai, Sepahijhala, West Tripura and North Tripura districts of Tripura. It has been making efforts to raise money through extortion in the districts of Khowai, Sepahijhala and West Tripura. The outfit also indulges in recruitment drives among surrendered militants. Its cadres abducted a resident of North Tripura in November, 2020, whose deadbody was recovered later. 7.2. As regards the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF], the Brief has mentioned as under :- [i] The ATTF was formed in the year 1993 and is led by Ranjit Debbarma. Like the NLFT, the goal of the ATTF is secession of Tripura from the Indian Union through armed struggles in alliance with other armed secessionist organisations of the North Eastern region. [ii] The ATTF has a few number of armed cadres who operate from camps in Bangladesh. Though the ATTF is not very active at present, its leaders/cadres had reorganized in October, 2017 and they are continuing with illegal and subversive activities like protesting against merger of Tripura with the Indian Union. [iii] One of the demands of the ATTF is separation of Greater Tipraland and for the purpose of its demands, the ATTF has been organizing blockades. The ATTF has connections with various North East insurgent groups like National Socialist Council of Nagaland [Khaplang] [NSCN-K] and Kamtapur Liberation Organisation [KLO]. [iv] The ATTF has, though, remained not very active for a while, its cadres are reorganizing themselves to pursue their secessionist agenda including protest against merger of Tripura with the Indian Union, demand for a separate State – Greater Tipraland, etc. 7.3. In the Brief, it is mentioned that as professed goal of both the NLFT and the ATTF is secession from the country and these outfits have neither been disbanded nor abandoned their professed goal so far, all their activities are liable and deemed to be done for fulfillment of their objectives of secession. In view of such facts, the NLFT and the ATTF along with all their factions, wings and front organisations have been declared as ‘unlawful associations’ under the UA[P] Act, 1967 for a period of 5 [five] years from 03.10.2023 for the following reasons :- [i] continued espousal of the policy of secession of Tripura from India by the NLFT and the ATTF; [ii] continued engagement in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India; [iii] possession of illegal arms and ammunitions; [iv] continued use of violence and terror through armed action as means for achieving their objectives; [v] extortions and illegal tax collections from the public including businessmen, traders and government employees; [vi] nexus and close links with some of the insurgent outfits of the North Eastern Region; and [vii] continued maintenance of sanctuaries, safe havens and training camps in neighbouring countries. 7.4. With the above projections, the Brief has mentioned that as the activities of the NLFT and the ATTF are continuing, the Central Government is of the opinion that circumstances exist which render it also necessary to declare these associations as ‘unlawful associations’ with immediate effect for reasons stated in a notification in the Official Gazette in this regard in exercise of the powers conferred on the Central Government under the proviso to sub-section [3] of Section 3 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. The Brief has mentioned that it has been felt that if there is any delay in giving effect to the notification, these organisations may take undue advantage of the situation and may mobilize their cadres for escalating secessionist, subversive, terrorist and violent activities. The Central Government is also of the opinion that it may also provide an opportunity to the leadership of these organisations to propagate anti-national activities in collusion with foreign powers inimical to India’s security interests. It is mentioned that the State Government of Tripura, the Intelligence Bureau, the Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force have recommended that the NLFT and the ATTF should continue to be declared as ‘unlawful associations’ under the UA[P] Act, 1967 beyond 2023. The Brief has further mentioned that the Cabinet Secretariat [Research and Analysis Wing] and the Ministry of Defence have also recommended that the NLFT should continue to be declared as ‘unlawful association’ beyond 02.10.2023. 7.5. The Brief has further mentioned that the last notification declaring the NLFT and the ATTF as ‘unlawful associations’ was issued on 03.10.2018 vide Notification bearing no. S.O. 5078[E]. A Reference under sub-section [1] of Section 4 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 was thereafter, made to the Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Tribunal and the learned Tribunal vide its Order dated 14.03.2019 had confirmed the declaration made vide the Notification dated 03.10.2018 by the Government of India. The Brief has stated that it is in view of the above fact situations, the declaration has been extended for a further period of 5 [five] years w.e.f. 03.10.2023 vide the Notification bearing no. S.O.4292[E] dated 03.10.2023 and the Reference has been made to this Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Tribunal under Section 4[1] of the UA[P] Act, 1967 for confirmation of the declaration made by the Notification bearing no.6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] S.O.4292[E] dated 03.10.2023 whereby the Central Government has declared the NLFT and the ATTF as ‘unlawful associations’. 8. The Notification bearing no. S.O.4292[E] dated 03.10.2023 has further mentioned that the Central Government, having regard to the above circumstances, is of the further opinion that circumstances exist which render it necessary for the Central Government to declare these associations to be unlawful with immediate effect and the Central Government has accordingly declared, in exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to sub-section [3] of Section 3 of the UA[P] Act, 1967, that the Notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under Section 4 of the UA[P] Act, 1967, have effect from 03.10.2023 for a period of 5 [five] years. 9. The Reference under Section 4[1] of the UA[P] Act, 1967 was received by the Registrar of the Tribunal on 30.10.2023. The Reference was thereafter, placed before the Tribunal on 01.11.2023 where the learned Special Counsel, Union of India; the learned State Counsel, Tripura; the Superintendent of Police, Serious Crime, Tripura; and the Additional Superintendent of Police [Special Branch], Tripura representing the Government of Tripura were present. The Tribunal held its first sitting on 06.11.2023. On consideration of the materials placed on record by the Central Government, the Tribunal had, on 06.11.2023, ordered that notices under Section 4[2] of the UP[A] Act, 1967 should be issued to the two organisations – the NLFT and the ATTF along with all their factions, wings and front organisations as well as to their principal office bearers - to show cause within 30 [thirty] days from the date of service of the notice as to why they should not be declared as unlawful. In the Order dated 06.11.2023, the Tribunal observed that the notices shall be served upon the two organisations in the following manner :- [i] By Speed Post/Registered A/D at the last known addresses of the NLFT/ATTF along with all their factions, wings and front organisations as well as that of their principal office bearers. [ii] Service of notice be also effected on the Office Bearers of the NLFT/ATTF in Tripura at their addresses, if any, and if under detention, then through the Superintendent [Jail] concerned. [iii] By publication along with a copy of the Gazette Notification dated 03.10.2023 in two daily newspapers - one in a National Newspaper [in English] and the other one in a prominent local vernacular language newspaper - having wide circulation in the areas where the activities of the NLFT/ATTF are ordinarily carried on, within 14 days thereof. [iv] By affixing of the notice along with a copy of the Gazette Notification dated 03.10.2023 at the last known addresses of the NLFT/ATTF along with all their factions, wings and front organisations as well as that of their principal office bearers. [v] By a proclamation by beating of drums as well as loudspeakers about the contents of the notice and the Notification dated 03.10.2023 in the areas in which the activities of the NLFT/ATTF were or are ordinarily carried on. [vi] By displaying the notice along with a copy of the Gazette Notification dated 03.10.2023, on the notice board of the offices of the Deputy Commissioners, the SDMs and Superintendents of Police in all the district headquarters of the State where the activities of the NLFT/ATTF were or are believed to be ordinarily carried on. [vii] Notice was directed to be served on the State Government of Tripura through its Chief Secretary. [viii] The Notice and the Gazette Notification dated 03.10.2023 were directed to be announced in the All India Radio/electronic media at the prime time and also be pasted at the prominent places in the State where the activities of the NLFT/ATTF were or are believed to be carried on. [ix] By affixing copies of the notice at some conspicuous parts of the offices, if any, of the NLFT/ATTF. [x] By publishing on the website of Ministry of Home Affairs, Union of India and of the Department of Home and Political, Government of Tripura. [xi] By any other possible modes, including e-mail, etc. In the matter of issuance of notices under Section 4[2] of the UA[P] Act, 1967, the Tribunal ordered to effect service of notices by additional mode of service, as set forth in Rule 4 of the Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Rules, 1968 [‘the UA[P] Rules, 1968’ and/or ‘the UA[P] Rules’, for short]. The Central Government and the State Government of Tripura were directed to make necessary and adequate arrangements for service of the notices. It was ordered that the report of service of the notices shall be submitted to the Registrar of the Tribunal on 24.11.2023, duly supported by affidavits of the concerned officer[s]/official[s], who had effected the service along with supporting documents. The Central Government and the State Government were also asked to submit their respective affidavits and documents in support of the grounds on which the aforesaid two organisations have been declared as unlawful. The Tribunal decided to hold its next sitting on 15.12.2023.[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 7 10. In compliance of the Order dated 06.11.2023, the State of Tripura through Smti. Binki Saha, Joint Resident Commissioner, Tripura Bhawan at Guwahati, filed two affidavits of service –cum– report of service on the NLFT and the ATTF respectively before the Registrar of the Tribunal on 24.11.2023. Similarly, an affidavit regarding service of notice –cum– report of service on the NLFT and the ATTF was filed, on 12.12.2023, by the Central Government through Sri R.K. Pandey, Director, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India before the Registrar of the Tribunal in compliance of the Order dated 06.11.2023. 11. In the two affidavits –cum- report of service filed on behalf of the State of Tripura through its Joint Resident Commissioner, Tripura Bhawan, Guwahati, it has been stated that the notices were duly published [i] in the website, https://political.tripura.gov.in of the Political Department, Government of Tripura on 15.11.2023; [ii] in the website, https://tripurapolice.gov.in of the Home Department, Government of Tripura on 16.11.2023; and [iii] in the State Portal, https://tripura.gov.in of the Government of Tripura on 16.11.2023. The said fact of publication is confirmed vide a Letter bearing no. F.No.7[9]/TSCA/D&HDW/2019[Loost]/4947-48 dated 20.11.2023 of the Additional Director, IT of the Directorate of Information Technology, Government of Tripura. In the action taken report forwarded vide Letter no. 69SP[1]/F.5[17]/PHQ[CS]/2022 dated 18.11.2023 of the Assistant Inspector General of Police [Crime], O/o the Director General of Police, Tripura and a Letter bearing no. 12276-77/SP[SC]/CS/CB/2023 dated 18.11.2023 of the Superintendent of Police [Serious Crime], O/o the Inspector General of Police [Crime and Intelligence], Tripura Police Crime Branch, it has been stated that the Superintendent of Police of the districts had effected service of the notice by way of proclamation by beating of drums/loudspeakers about the contents of the notice and the Gazette Notification dated 03.10.2023 in the areas where the activities of the NLFT and the ATTF were or are ordinarily carried on. It has been further reported that the notice and the Gazette Notification dated 03.10.2023 were also displayed at the notice boards of the offices of the NLFT and the ATTF and at other prominent places. It has been reported that pursuant to request made to the Director, Information & Cultural Affairs, Government of Tripura to arrange for publication of the notice and the Gazette Notification dated 03.10.2023 in one national English newspaper and in one prominent daily vernacular newspaper having wide circulation in the State of Tripura, the Director, Information & Cultural Affairs, Government of Tripura submitted a compliance report vide Letter no. F.65[26]- ICA/Advt./2010 dated 14.11.2023 conveying that the notice and the Gazette Notification were published in the national English daily newspaper, ‘The Sunday Express’ in its issue dated 12.11.2023 and in two prominent vernacular newspapers of the State of Tripura, ‘Shyandan’ in its issue dated 11.11.2023 & ‘Dainik Sambad’ in its issue dated 14.11.2023. The Director, Doordarshan Kendra, Agartala vide its compliance report bearing File no. DDK/AGT/HOP/2023-24 dated 16.11.2023 had informed that the notice and the Gazette Notification dated 03.10.2023 issued in respect of the NLFT and the ATTF were duly telecasted in Doordarshan on 13.11.2023. The Director, All India Radio [AIR], Agartala vide its Broadcast Certificate bearing File no. AIR/AGT/RNU/[News]/2023-24 dated 18.11.2023 had reported that the contents of the notice and the Gazette Notification dated 03.10.2023 in respect of the NLFT and the ATTF were duly broadcasted both in Bengali and Kokborok during news bulletins on 11.11.2023 and the relevant audio files were also forwarded with the Broadcast Certificate. The Superintendent, Kendriya Sansodhanagar, Bishalgarh vide a Letter bearing no. F.II- III/KST/BLG/Tribunal/Extremist/2023/21394-96 dated 18.11.2023 has stated that the order-sheet of the Tribunal and the Gazette Notification were duly served to Sri Jacob Hrangkhawl, a member of the NLFT. Sri Parimal Debbarma, a member of the NLFT and an undertrial prisoner was sought to be served the notice and the Gazette Notification through the Superintendent, Gonda Twisa Sub-Jail, Dhalai but Sri Debbarma refused to receive the same. The Superintendent, Gonda Twisa Sub-Jail, Dhalai in his compliance report forwarded vide a Letter no. F.28/GNC/SJ/2014/995 dated 18.11.2023 has confirmed that in view of such refusal, the concerned authority had pasted a copy of the notice on the wall of the lock-up of Sri Debbarma, where he was staying as an undertrial prisoner. As per the affidavits –cum- report of service of the State of Tripura, compliance reports were received from the Superintendents of Police of all the districts of Tripura confirming service of the notice and the Gazette Notification with their affixation in conspicuous places/notice boards of the offices/announcements of their contents in the areas where the activities of the NLFT and the ATTF were or are ordinarily found to be carried on. It has been further stated that the notice and the Gazette Notification were also affixed in the known residential addresses of Sri Bikram Bahadur Jamatia @ Bomthom at Garjankhala, Police Station – Birganj, who is known to be the present Chief of Army Staff of the NLFT and Sri Biswamani Debbarma at Tamakari, Police Station – Sidhai, who is known to be the present Warrant Officer of the ATTF. Photographs evidencing affixation of the notice and the Gazette Notification at their residential addresses are enclosed to substantiate the factum of service of the notice and the Gazette Notification on the said two functionaries of the NLFT and the ATTF. The copies of the notice and the Gazette Notification are stated to have been displayed in the notice boards of the office of the Superintendent of Police, South Tripura District and of the offices of all the Sub-Divisional Police Officers [SDPOs] of the South Tripura District. Similar compliance reports have been submitted by the Additional District Magistrate & Collector, West Tripura District and the Additional District Magistrate & Collector, Sepahijala District regarding service/proclamation of the notice and the Gazette Notification vide their Letters bearing no. F.21[20]/DM/W/Con/2019/1695 dated 18.11.2023 and bearing no. F.2[1]/DM/SPJ/JDL/MISC/2022/430 dated 17.11.2023 respectively, addressed to the Deputy Secretary to the Government of Tripura, Home Department.8 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] 12. The Central Government has also filed an affidavit on 12.12.2023 before the Registrar of the Tribunal wherein it had stated that the Government of Tripura was requested vide Letter no. 11011/02/2023-NE.V dated 07.11.2023 [Annexure-III] to comply with the Order of the Tribunal dated 06.11.2023. It has stated that the Government of Tripura had thereafter, sent an action taken report to Sri R.K. Pandey, Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, vide a Letter no. F.21[20]-PD/2022 dated 22.11.2023 [Annexure-V]. 13. The Tribunal in its second sitting, held on 15.12.2023 at Guwahati, had observed upon perusal of the affidavits filed on behalf of the State of Tripura that the service of the notices were done during period from 15.11.2023 to 18.11.2023. As the last date of service notice in respect of the NLFT and the ATTF was completed on 18.11.2023 and a period of thirty days for appearance of the members of the said two organisations for filing of objections/replies/written statements, as mentioned in the notices, did not expire till that day, the Tribunal decided to hold the next sitting on 21.12.2023 at Guwahati. 14. The Tribunal held its third sitting on 21.12.2023 at Guwahati. It was observed that none had appeared on behalf of the two organisations viz. the NLFT and the ATTF despite completion of a period of thirty days for their appearances, as stipulated in the notice, to file objections/replies/written statements. The Tribunal with such obtaining facts, decided to proceed further to the stage of recording/reception of evidence on behalf of the parties, who had already entered appearances. The parties who had entered appearance, that is, the Central Government and the State of Tripura, were requested to submit their list of witnesses on or before 06.01.2024 before the Registrar of the Tribunal. It was decided that the Tribunal would hold its next sittings for recording/reception of evidence at Agartala, Tripura on 11.01.2024 and 12.01.2024 respectively. Order was accordingly passed that necessary information as regards time, date and venue of the Tribunal’s next sittings at Agartala, Tripura were to be given due publicity for prior information/notice to the public/witnesses. The Registrar of the Tribunal was requested to do the needful. 15. On 09.01.2024, the Government of India filed its evidence-on-affidavit through Sri R.K. Pandey, Director, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India along with exhibits as C.W.1 before the Registrar of the Tribunal. 16. The proceedings of the Tribunal were next held on 11.01.2024 and 12.01.2024 at the State Guest House, Agartala, Tripura for reception of evidence/recording of evidence on behalf of the parties, who had already entered appearances. As the Tribunal had in its previous order observed that due publicity should be given about its next sittings fixed for recording of evidence/reception of evidence of witnesses on 11.01.2024 and 12.01.2024 so that person[s], association[s], etc., who is/are or was/were associated/connected with the two organisations declared as unlawful associations vide the Notification dated 03.10.2023 issued under Section 3[1] of the UA[P] Act, 1967, could appear before the Tribunal to represent their cases, the Tribunal had kept it open for such person[s], association[s], etc. to appear before the Tribunal on 11.01.2024 and 12.01.2024. The Registrar of the Tribunal during its sitting on 11.01.2024, placed two affidavits filed on behalf of the State of Tripura as regards to the steps taken on their behalf for giving due publicity about the sittings of the Tribunal scheduled on 11.01.2024 and 12.01.2024. On perusal of the two affidavits as regards giving of due publicity, the Tribunal reached a view that necessary steps were taken for due publicity about the time, the date and venue of sittings of the Tribunal on 11.01.2024 and 12.01.2024. 17. In the proceedings of the Tribunal, held on 11.01.2024, the Central Government was represented by its learned Special Counsel and the State of Tripura was represented by their learned engaged counsel. The evidence-on- affidavit submitted through Sri R.K. Pandey, Director, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India on behalf of the Central Government as C.W.1 was placed before the Tribunal by the Registrar of the Tribunal and on being so placed, the said evidence-on-affidavit was taken on record. 18. The learned counsel representing the State of Tripura had placed two list of witnesses – one containing 14 [fourteen] nos. of witnesses and the other containing 6 [six] nos. of witnesses – before the Tribunal on 11.01.2024. It was submitted that the 14 [fourteen] nos. of witnesses from the first list would submit their evidence-on-evidence as regards the organisation, National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] and the second list of witnesses containing 6 [six] nos. of witnesses would be in connection with the organisation, All India Tiger Force [ATTF]. Accordingly, those 14 [fourteen] nos. of witnesses submitted their evidence-on-affidavits in connection with the organisation, National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] before the Tribunal as S.W.1 to S.W.14 by appearing before the Tribunal in person. Similarly, 6 [six] nos. of witnesses also submitted their individual evidence-on-affidavit in connection with the organisation, All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] as S.W.15 to S.W.20 by appearing before the Tribunal in person. 19. During the proceedings of the Tribunal on 11.01.2024, other than the afore-mentioned witnesses, none had appeared before the Tribunal to represent the two organisations in respect of the Gazette Notification dated 03.10.2023. The learned counsel representing the State of Tripura had submitted that evidence-on-affidavit of one more witness on behalf of the State of Tripura would be filed in the Tribunal’s next sitting on 12.01.2024. Having regard to the subject-matter, the Tribunal was of the considered view that opportunity to represent should be kept open to the representatives of the National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] and the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] along with their factions, units and front associations, and/or the principal office bearers of the associations before the Tribunal in connection with the Gazette Notification dated 03.10.2023. The Tribunal had also directed the witnesses who had submitted their respective evidence-on-affidavits on 11.01.2024, to remain present also in its next sitting scheduled on 12.01.2024 for the purpose of their cross-examination, if any. During the next sitting of the Tribunal on[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 9 12.01.2024, also at Agartala, Tripura, the Central Government and the State of Tripura were represented by their respective learned counsel. The 20 [twenty] nos. of witnesses, that is, S.W.1 to S.W.20 who had submitted their evidence-on-affidavits on 11.01.2024, were present in person before the Tribunal on 12.01.2024 by submitting their attendance. As none had appeared on 11.01.2024 and also on 12.01.2024 for cross-examination of any of the said witnesses, that is, S.W.1 to S.W.20, their evidence including cross-examination, were closed on that day. Similarly, as none had appeared on 11.01.2024 and also on 12.01.2024 before the Tribunal submitting any request to call for the appearance of C.W.1 for his cross-examination, the evidence of C.W.1 including cross-examination, was also closed on that day. During the sitting of the Tribunal on 12.01.2024, Sri Haribal Sarkar, Under Secretary to the Government of Tripura, Home Department appeared in person before the Tribunal and submitted his evidence-on-affidavit as S.W.21. Though none had appeared before the Tribunal to submit any request for his [S.W.21] cross-examination, the Tribunal deemed it fit and proper, for ends of justice, to provide another opportunity to any person connected with the subject-matter for cross-examination of S.W.21 during the next sitting of the Tribunal. For the purpose of facilitating such cross-examination, if any, the witness – S.W.21 was directed to remain present in person before the Tribunal in its next sittings scheduled on 29.01.2024 and 30.01.2024 at Guwahati [Gauhati High Court Premises, New Block]. 20. The Tribunal held its next sitting at Guwahati [Gauhati High Court Premises, New Block] on 29.01.2024. The witness – S.W.21, Sri Haribal Sarkar, Under Secretary to the Government of Tripura, Home Department was present in person before the Tribunal on 29.01.2024. On 29.01.2024, the State of Tripura had adduced evidence of one more witness, that is, Sri Krieshnendu Chakravertty, Deputy Inspector General of Police [DIGP] [Crime & Intelligence] and In-Charge, Inspector General of Police [IGP] [Crime] as S.W.22. The said witness – S.W.22 submitted his evidence-on-affidavit along with exhibits. As none had appeared before the Tribunal for the purpose of cross-examination, if any, of S.W.21, the evidence of S.W.21 was closed on 29.01.2024. As the sitting of the Tribunal was also scheduled on 30.01.2024, the witness – S.W.22 was directed to remain present before the Tribunal on 30.01.2024 to provide another opportunity to interested persons, if any, for cross-examination of S.W.22. In its sitting held on 30.01.2024, the witness – S.W.22 - Sri Krishnendu Chakravertty was present in person apart from the learned Special Counsel representing the Central Government and the learned counsel representing the State of Tripura. As none had appeared on 30.01.2024 also for cross-examining S.W.22, the evidence including cross-examination, of S.W.22 was closed on 30.01.2024 and his personal appearance was accordingly dispensed with. As no person had appeared on behalf of the two organisations – the NLFT and the ATTF along with their factions, units and front organisations and/or the principal office bearers of the organisations during the sittings of the Tribunal till that day, the Tribunal had to observe that the matter/reference had to proceed to the next stage. 21. In the sitting of the Tribunal, held on 16.02.2024, the learned counsel for the State of Tripura had made a prayer for another sitting of the Tribunal within a week for moving an application seeking leave to adduce further evidence of two witnesses - S.W.15 & S.W.18 – who had already tendered their evidence on the ground that there arose necessity to adduce such further evidence due to certain vital and subsequent developments. A submission was also made on behalf of the State of Tripura to grant leave to adduce additional evidence of more witnesses on the same ground. The permission to move such application seeking leave was allowed by the Tribunal with the observation that the matter of admitting additional evidence would be considered in the next sitting of the Tribunal of 23.02.2024. During the sitting of the Tribunal on 23.02.2024, an application seeking leave was filed on behalf of the State of Tripura to allow two of the witnesses, S.W.15 & S.W.18 to adduce additional evidence in the form of affidavits. In the said application, another prayer was made on behalf of the State of Tripura to adduce examination-in-chief of another witness, S.W.23 – Sri Shyamananda Sarma, Additional Superintendent of Police [SB], Tripura. It was canvassed that the events which were sought to be brought on record by way of additional evidence through the afore-mentioned three witnesses were events which had occurred subsequent to filing of the witnesses’ [S.W.15 & S.W.18] evidence- on-affidavits earlier on 11.01.2024. Similar grounds were shown for grant of leave to adduce evidence of S.W.23 - Sri Shyamananda Sarma, Additional Superintendent of Police [SB], Tripura. The Tribunal upon hearing and after going through the reasons cited for seeking leave to adduce additional evidence through the afore-mentioned three witnesses, granted leave. Accordingly, the three witnesses, S.W.15 [Sri Lalduhkima Molsom, Inspector of Police]; S.W.18 [Sri Sushil Debbarma, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police]; and S.W.23 [Sri Shyamananda Sarma, Additional Superintendent of Police (SB)], who were present in person before the Tribunal presented their evidence-on-affidavits. On being so presented, such evidence-on-affidavits were taken on record. 22. Subsequently, on 11.03.2024, an application was filed on behalf of the State of Tripura before the Registrar of the Tribunal seeking leave to adduce evidence of 3 [three] more witnesses showing reasons for seeking such leave. On receipt of the application, the Registrar of the Tribunal placed the same before the Tribunal in its sitting held on 12.03.2024. After hearing the learned counsel for the State of Tripura and upon consideration of the reasons shown in the application for seeking leave, leave was granted allowing the State of Tripura to adduce evidence of 3 [three] more witnesses. Accordingly, the 3 [three] witnesses viz. [i] S.W.24 : Sri Sura Kumar Debbarma, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, Tripura Police Crime Branch, Agartala; [ii] S.W.25 : Sri Abhimanyu R. Prasad, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Gomati District, Tripura; and [iii] S.W.26 : Sri Nor Bahadur Reang, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sepahijhala District, Tripura; appeared in person before the Tribunal and submitted their evidence in the form of affidavits. The said affidavits were accordingly, taken on record.10 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] 23. Three additional affidavits were filed on behalf of the State of Tripura before the Tribunal on 11.03.2024 through Smti. Binki Saha, Tripura Civil Service, Joint Resident Commissioner, Tripura Bhawan. The first of such additional affidavits was regarding compliance of the Order of the Tribunal dated 06.11.2023. By the Order dated 06.11.2023, notices were directed to be served upon the two organisations in the modes indicated therein and the Government of Tripura was directed to make necessary and adequate arrangement for service of notices and to file a report of service of notice. By the additional affidavit, the deponent had submitted some of the documents in original, which were not submitted with the earlier affidavit of service-cum-report of service. The second of the additional affidavits was for compliance of the Order of the Tribunal dated 21.12.2023 to bring on record the steps that were taken by the State of Tripura to cause service of notices upon the two organisations, the NLFT and the ATTF. With the said affidavit, the original copies of some of the documents were brought on record as regard to those documents, the original copies were not submitted earlier. The third of the additional affidavits was for compliance of the Order of the Tribunal dated 12.01.2024 to bring on record the steps that were taken by the State of Tripura to cause service of notices upon the two organisations, the NLFT and the ATTF. With the said three affidavits, the copies of the newspapers where the notices were published, were also placed before the Tribunal. With regard to few of the documents, annexed thereto, certification was made under Section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Having gone through the contents of the said three additional affidavits and the documents annexed thereto, it is found that steps were duly taken to cause service of notices upon the noticees through newspapers having wide circulation in the localities where the two organisations were/are found to have carried out their activities and also through other modes of publication of notices. 24. The 26 [twenty-six] nos. of witnesses who have filed their individual evidence-on-affidavit as S.W.1 to S.W.26 are as follows – [1] S.W.1 - Sri Repon Uchoi, Sub-Inspector of Police, Champahawar Police Station; [2] S.W.2 - Sri Lazarus Lalhmudika Darlong, Inspector of Police & Officer In-Charge, Kailasahar Police Station; [3] S.W.3 - Smti Sipra Nath, W/o Litan Nath of Rongpur, Assam; [4] S.W.4 - Sri Prabir Debbarma, Sub-Inspector of Police, Ananda Bazar Police Station; [5] S.W.5 - Sri Malsom Halam, Sub-Inspector of Police, Ananda Bazar Police Station; [6] S.W.6 - Sri Sakti Sadhan Jamatia, Inspector of Police & Officer In-Charge, Ompi Police Station; [7] S.W.7 - Sri Amendra Debbarma @ Khwla, S/o Lt. Sukuram Debbarma, Kainta Kobra Para, Police Station - Mandai; [8] S.W.8 - Ms. Emilia Reang, Tripura Civil Service [TCS], Grade-1, Joint Director, Small Savings, Group Insurance and Institutional Finance; [9] S.W.9 - Sri Ajay Debbarma, Deputy Superintendent of Police & Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Udaipur, District - Gomati; [10] S.W.10 - Sri Palash Datta, Inspector of Police & Officer In-Charge, Gandacherra Police Station; [11] S.W.11 - Sri Ranjit Debbarma, Sub-Inspector of Police, Manikpur Police Station; [12] S.W.12 - Sri Subal Debnath, S/o Narayan Debnath, Charilam Kamraj Colony, Police Station - Bisramganj; [13] S.W.13 - Sri Subhash Bhowmik, S/o Late Debandra Bhowmik, Purba Dhajanagar, Police Station - R.K. Pur; [14] S.W.14 - Sri Ngurpuithanga Halam, Sub-Inspector of Police, Sidhai Police Station; [15] S.W.15 - Sri Lalduhkima Molsom, Inspector of Police, O/o the Superintendent of Police [Special Branch], Tripura; [16] S.W.16 - Sri Indrajit Debbarma, Sub-Inspector of Police, O/o the Superintendent of Police [Special Branch], Tripura; [17] S.W.17 - Sri Mrinal Debbarma, Sub-Inspector of Police, O/o the Superintendent of Police [Special Branch], Tripura; [18] S.W.18 - Sri Sushil Debbarma, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police, O/o the Superintendent of Police [Special Branch], Tripura; [19] S.W.19 - Sri Priya R. Debbarma, S/o Late Bidya Kumar Debbarma, Rajani Sardar Para, Police Station - Kalyanpur;[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 11 [20] S.W.20 - Sri Sushil Debbarma @ Minija, S/o Late Kalidhan Debbarma, Sonarai Bari, Police Station – Kalyanpur; [21] S.W.21 - Sri Haribal Sarkar, Under Secretary to the Government of Tripura, Home Department; [22] S.W.22 - Sri Krieshnendu Chakravertty, Deputy Inspector General of Police [DIGP] [Crime & Intelligence] & In-Charge, Inspector General of Police [IGP] [Crime]; [23] S.W.23 - Sri Shyamananda Sarma, Additional Superintendent of Police [SB], Tripura; [24] S.W.24 - Sri Sura Kumar Debbarma, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, Tripura Police Crime Branch, Agartala; [25] S.W.25 - Sri Abhimanyu R. Prasad, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Gomati District, Tripura; and [26] S.W.26 - Sri Nor Bahadur Reang, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sepahijhala District, Tripura. 25. In his evidence, S.W.1 has stated that he has been serving as a Sub-Inspector of Police in Champahawar Police Station, District – Khowai, Tripura at that time. He has deposed to the effect that on 05.07.2020, one Sri Udhyam Debbarma, Sub-Inspector of Police lodged one First Information Report [FIR] before the Officer In-Charge, Champahawar Police Station against three persons, namely, [i] Sri Chattrabhanga Jamatia, son of Kenchal Jamatia, Tul Jilik Para, Police Station – Jampuljala, Sipahijala; [ii] Sri Nirban Debbarma [43], son of Sri Narendra Debbarma, Ramdewan Chou Para, Police Station – Champahawar; and [iii] Sri Samaresh Debbarma [37], son of Sri Nayanmoni Debbarma, Naliabari, Police Station – Champahawar. The said FIR was registered as Champahawar Police Station Case no. 30/2020 under Sections 120B/121/121A/124A/386/506, Indian Penal Code [IPC] r/w Section 382B of the Criminal Law [Tripura Amendment] Act, 2018 r/w Section 10 and Section 13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 on 05.07.2020. As regards the incident, the informant in the FIR had stated that on 04.07.2020, information was received from secret sources to the effect that few days earlier, the accused persons named [i] Sri Chattrabhanga Jamatia, [ii] Sri Nirban Debbarma, and [iii] Sri Samaresh Debbarma, along with some others went to a pharmacy of one Sri Molindra Debbarma [58], son of Late Debendra Debbarma, resident of Jonardhan Chou Para, Police Station – Champahawar located at Tulasikhar Market and introduced themselves as cadres of the NLFT extremists group. The accused persons informed Sri Molindra Debbarma who was the President of Tulasikhar Market Committee, that they were sent by the supremo of the NLFT extremists group, Sri Utpal Debbarma. The accused persons demanded an amount of Rs. 1,00,000/- from Tulasikhar Market as tax for the extremists group and asked Sri Molindra Debbarma to collect the amount from all the shopkeepers and to deposit the amount thereafter to them. S.W.1 has deposed that fact also came out from last few months that Sri Molindra Debbarma was getting calls from unknown numbers with the callers identifying themselves as the leaders of the NLFT extremists group and demanding extortion money of Rs. 1,00,000/- from shopkeepers of Tulasikhar Market, who did not fulfill such illegal demands. S.W.1 has further deposed that further information was received few days earlier to the effect that the same NLFT extremists group cadres had gone to Sreeram Khara Village under Mungalakami Police Station and contacted one ration dealer named Sri Chitta Debbarma. Sri Chitta Debbarma was asked to pay an extortion money of Rs. 5,000/- or else, he would be killed. With such threat, the accused persons had extorted Rs. 5,000/- from Sri Chitta Debbarma. S.W.1 has further deposed that in the course of investigation of the said case, he had arrested the above-named three accused persons. S.W.1 has also deposed that when the accused persons – Sri Nirban Debbarma and Sri Samaresh Debbarma – were interrogated during the course of investigation of Champahawar Police Station Case no. 30/2020, they confessed their involvement and guilt with the admission that they were recruited into the NLFT extremists group by Sri Utpal Debbarma. S.W.1 has exhibited the FIR of Champahawar Police Station Case no. 30/2020 as Ext.-1. S.W.1 - Sri. Repon Uchoi, Sub- Inspector of Police, Tripura has adduced his evidence in the form of affidavit on 11.01.2024 and the same is marked as Ext. - S.W.1–A and his signatures therein are marked as Ext. - S.W.1–A[1], S.W.1-A[2] and S.W.1-A[3] respectively. 26. At the time of adducing evidence as S.W.2, Sri Lazarus Lalhmudika Darlong, Inspector of Police has been serving as the Officer In-Charge of Koilasahar Police Station. S.W.2 has deposed to the effect that on 28.11.2020, one FIR was lodged before the Officer In-Charge, Damcherra Police Station, District – North Tripura against unknown miscreants. The said FIR was lodged by Smti. Sipra Nath, wife of Liton Nath, who has deposed as S.W.3. In the said FIR, it was stated that at about 23-30 hours on 27.11.2020, some 9-10 unknown miscreants covering their faces with clothes knocked at the door of the house of Smti. Sipra Nath located at Joynagar, besides Kaskou Reang Refugee Camp and by forcefully opening the door thereafter, entered into the house. The informant saw that the miscreants were equipped with guns and sharp knives. After intruding into the house, the miscreants assaulted Liton Nath i.e. the husband of the informant and demanded money. The informant also stated that on being not able to meet the demand of the miscreants, the miscreants threatened and warned her with dire consequences. One of the miscreants caught hold of the informant’s younger daughter and by placing a knife near her neck, demanded money. In the FIR, the informant had further stated that out of fear, the informant had to hand over the keys of the almirah to the miscreants and with the keys, the miscreants opening the almirah, took away some gold and silver ornaments and a cash amount of Rs. 700/-. The miscreants also kidnapped the informant’s husband and demanded a ransom amount of Rs. 1,50,000/- for returning Liton Nath. In the FIR, the informant stated that the miscreants while going out, entered into12 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] the shop of the informant’s family located just in front of the informant’s dwelling house and took away some eatables, cigarettes, etc. from the shop. As the informant’s brother-in-law, Sri Suten Nath was sleeping inside the shop at that time, the miscreants also threatened him and asked him not to shout or raise alarm. The informant stated in the FIR that while going out of the dwelling house, the miscreants locked the informant inside the house and closed the door from outside with a warning not to inform the matter to police or else, they would kill her husband. When after few minutes the informant could come out of the house, she saw the miscreants taking away her husband towards Kaskou Reang Refugee Camp. The informant had also given brief physical descriptions of the miscreants and stated that the miscreants talked in Kokbrok language among themselves but with the informant, they talked in Hindi. S.W.2 has deposed that in the FIR, the informant stated that due to making searches for her husband at different nearby places, some delay had occurred in lodging the FIR. S.W.2 has exhibited the FIR dated 28.11.2020 of Damcherra Police Station Case no. 12/2020 and other documents including the statements recorded under Section 161, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 [‘the CrPC’ or ‘the Code’, for short] and the Charge Sheet no. 04/2021 dated 21.02.2021 submitted in connection with the said case, as Ext.-2, which are also exhibited by S.W.3 – Smti. Sipra Nath. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.2 is marked as Ext. - S.W.2–A and his signatures on it are marked as Ext. - S.W.2–A[1], S.W.2-A[2] and S.W.2-A[3]. 27. The informant in Damcherra Police Station Case no. 12/2020, Smti. Sipra Nath tendered her evidence by way of affidavit as S.W.3 on 11.02.2024. In her evidence, S.W.3 has stated that she lodged the FIR in connection with Damcherra Police Station Case no. 12/2020 on 28.11.2020 before the Officer In-Charge, Damcherra Police Station, District – Dhalai, Tripura against unknown miscreants. By exhibiting the said FIR as part of Ext.-2, S.W.2 deposed to the effect that she and her husband, Liton Nath who hailed from Rangpur, Police Station – Ratabari, District – Karimganj, Assam, were residing at Joynagar at the relevant point of time. S.W.2 has deposed that at about 23-30 hours on 27.11.2020, some 9-10 unknown masked people came to their house and knocked at the door. The unknown miscreants forcefully opening the door, entered into the house. After entering into the house, the unknown miscreants who were armed with guns and sharp knives, assaulted the husband of S.W.3, Liton Nath and demanded money. As S.W.3 and her husband failed to meet such demand, the miscreants threatened and warned them with dire consequences of causing death. One of the miscreants caught hold of S.W.3’s younger daughter and by placing a knife near her neck, demanded money. S.W.3 has stated that out of fear, she had to hand over the keys of the almirah to the miscreants. The miscreants after opening the almirah, took away some gold and silver ornaments and a cash amount of Rs. 700/-. The miscreants also kidnapped her husband, Liton Nath and placed a ransom demand of Rs. 1,50,000/- to return the husband of S.W.3, Liton Nath. The miscreants on their way back, entered into the family shop located in front of the dwelling house of S.W.3 and took away some eatables, cigarettes, etc. from inside the shop. At that time, the brother-in-law of S.W.3 was present in the shop and the miscreants threatened him not to shout. S.W.3 deposed that she was locked inside the house by the miscreants by locking the door from outside. S.W.3 was threatened by the miscreants not to disclose anything to police with the further threat that otherwise, her husband would be killed. The S.W.3 had stated that when she opened the door of the house thereafter she saw the miscreants taking away her husband into Kaskou Reang Refugee Camp. In the FIR, S.W.3 stated that the miscreants wore black clothes and covered their faces with black masks. As regards physical description of the miscreants, S.W.3 stated in the FIR that one of them was short heighted and had white stain on the face. S.W.3 deposed that the miscreants were talking among themselves in Kokbrok language but while talking with the S.W.3, the miscreants conversed with Hindi. S.W.3 has exhibited a set of documents already marked as Ext.-2 which contained [i] the FIR of Damcherra Police Station Case no. 12/2020 registered on 28.11.2020 under Sections 457/364A/506/384/34, IPC r/w Section 25[1][a], Arms Act, 1959; and [ii] the statements of witnesses recorded under Section 161, CrPC and the charge sheet submitted under Section 173, CrPC in connection with Damcherra Police Station Case no. 12/2020 being Charge Sheet no. 04/2021 dated 21.02.2021, all certified as true copies by S.W.2, Sri Lazarus Lalhmudika, who was the Investigating Officer [I.O.] of Damcherra Police Station Case no. 12/2020 and who as the I.O. submitted the charge sheet. The charge sheet was submitted finding a prima facie case against the accused persons for the offences under Sections 457/364A/384/506/34 with added Sections 302/201/120B, IPC, as Liton Nath was murdered after kidnapping and his deadbody was recovered later on. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.3 is marked as Ext. - S.W.3–A and her signatures on it are marked as Ext. - S.W.3–A[1], S.W.3-A[2] and S.W.3-A[3]. 28. At the time of adducing his evidence by way of affidavit on 11.01.2024, S.W.4 – Sri Prabir Debbarma has stated that he has been serving as a Sub-Inspector of Police at Ananda Bazar Police Station, District – North Tripura. In his evidence, S.W.4 has deposed that on 13.07.2021, one Sri Kongsharam Reang lodged an FIR before the Officer In-Charge, Ananda Bazar Police Station against the six accused persons – [i] Sri Dabe Reang @ Hememanta @ Dapha [40], son of Late Thandaram Reang, Chandra Kumar Para, Khedacherra [KDC] Police Station; [ii] Sri Mangal Debbarma @ Kechekeche @ Musuk [47], son of Rambhakta Debbarma, Tairajbari, Police Station – Sidhai, West Tripura; [iii] Sri Amit Debbarma @ Sudir [39], son of Bishu Chanda Debbarma, Gurudayal Para, Police Station – Jampuijala, Sepahijala; [iv] Sri Thomash Uchai [40], son of Dhani Ram Uchui @ Tuama, Rangacherra, Police Station – Natun Bazaar, Gomati, Tripura; [v] Sri Fanijoy Reang @ Athukri [39], son of Dataram Reang, Danchudhury Para, Manikpur; and [vi] Sri Bishnu Bijoy Rupini @ Bedek [49], son of Late Bhakta Mohan Rupini, Kali Rupini Para, Police Station – Teliamura, Khowai, Tripura; and others. The said FIR was registered as Ananda Bazar Police Station Case no. 06/2021 on 13.07.2021 for offences under Sections 341/363/365/386/417/420/34, IPC r/w Section 25 of the[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 13 Arms Act, 1959 r/w Section 10 and Section 13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. In the FIR, the informant had informed that at about 16-00 hours on 11.04.2021, he went inside the jungle near the India-Bangladesh Border for the purpose of jhum cultivation and when he reached near his jhum hut at Aijak Tuaisa, the accused persons who were armed with AK rifles and pistols, wrongfully restrained him. By kidnapping him, the extremists group took him into Bangladesh via Aijak Tuaisa Culvert Cherra Road. The said extremists group forcibly made the informant to join the extremists group with a joining fee for which the informant had to pay a sum of Rs. 500/-. The extremists group told the informant that if after joining extremists group they would surrender they would be given Rs. 5,00,000/- in surrender package for house building. S.W.4 has stated that the informant in the FIR also stated that after walking for six hours on foot through river and hills, they reached Jupuhi Para Village in Bangladesh. The informant was engaged in jhum cultivation by the extremists group. S.W.4 has further deposed that in the same month, some more villagers were taken to Bangladesh by the extremists group and after being so taken by cheating, they were forcibly engaged in jhum cultivation in Bangladesh. It has been deposed by S.W.4 that four persons of Ujangasiram Para managed to escape from the captivity of the extremists group and they returned to their houses from Bangladesh. S.W.4 has further deposed that in June, 2021, an extremists group’s leader from the NLFT served annual notices to the Choudhury’s of many villages of West Bandarima/East Bandarima ADC Village. S.W.4 has exhibited the FIR of Ananda Bazar Police Station Case no. 06/2021 along with the statement of the informant as Ext.-3. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.4 is marked as Ext. - S.W.4–A and his signatures on it are marked as Ext. - S.W.4–A[1], S.W.4-A[2] and S.W.4-A[3]. 29. S.W.5, Sri Malsom Halam who has been serving as a Sub-Inspector of Police, Ananda Bazar Police Station, District – North Tripura at the time of tendering his evidence by affidavit, has deposed to the effect that on 04.07.2021, one Sri Darparam Reang @ Sipang [24], son of Sri Adharai Reang, a resident of Ujangasiram Para, Police Station – Ananda Bazar appeared at the Ananda Bazar Police Station and lodged an FIR before the Officer In-Charge, Ananda Bazar Police Station, District – North Tripura against six accused persons viz. [i] Sri Dabe Reang @ Hemmenta [40], son of Late Thandaram Reang, Chandra Kumar Para, Khedacherra [KDC] Police Station; [ii] Sri Mangal Debbarma @ Kechekeche [47], son of Rambhakta Debbarma, Tairajbari, Police Station – Sidhai, West Tripura; [iii] Sri Amit Debbarma [39], son of Bishnu Chandra Debbarma, Gurudayal Para, Police Station – Jampuijala, Sepahijala; [iv] Sri Thomash Uchai [40], son of Dhani Ram Uchui @ Tuama, Rangacherra, Police Station – Natun Bazaar, Gomati, Tripura; [v] Sri Fanijoy Reang [39], son of Dataram Reang, Danchudhury Para, Manikpur; and [vi] Sri Bishnu Bijoy Rupini [49], son of Late Bhakta Mohan Rupini, Kali Rupini Para, Police Station – Teliamura, Khowai, Tripura. On receipt of the said FIR, the same was registered as Ananda Bazar Police Station Case no. 04/2021 on 04.07.2021 under Sections 341/363/365/386/417/420/34, IPC r/w Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959 r/w Section 10 and Section 13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. As about the contents of the FIR, S.W.5 has deposed that by the said FIR, it was informed that at 09-00 hours on 24.04.2021, the informant went inside the jungle via fencing road to collect Gandaki plant. The informant had stated in the FIR that when he reached near Manipara BOP, the said six extremists of the NLFT who were armed with AK rifles, wrongfully restrained him. The informant in the FIR had stated that he was made to walk for about three hours with the extremists group and they had finally reached Tripura Community Village at Jupuhi Para, Bangladesh wherein he was forcefully engaged in jhum cultivation. After taking him to Bangladesh, the informant was told that after joining of the informant with the group, if they would surrender, they would receive a amount of Rs. 7,00,000/- along with a house. The informant was told that they would further receive the surrender package for extremists. The informant was made to join the NLFT group and for the purpose of such joining, the informant was made to pay an amount of Rs. 500/-. The informant had also stated that some other villagers were also taken to Bangladesh by cheating and those villagers were also engaged in jhum cultivation. The informant had stated in the FIR that two villagers viz. Sri Sarbajoy Reang and Sri Sumanjoy Reang could manage to escape from the captivity of the extremists group in Bangladesh. The said FIR had also mentioned that in the month of June, the NLFT extremists group leader served annual notices to the Choudhury’s of many villages of Bandarima ADC Village for subscription/extortion money. S.W.5 has exhibited the FIR of Ananda Bazar Police Station Case no. 04/2021 along with the statement of the informant as Ext.-4. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.5 is marked as Ext. - S.W.5–A and his signatures on it are marked as Ext. - S.W.5–A[1], S.W.5-A[2] and S.W.5-A[3]. 30. Sri Shakti Sadhan Jamatia has tendered his evidence by way of affidavit on 11.01.2024 as S.W.6 and at that time, he has been serving as an Inspector of Police & the Officer In-Charge, Ompi Police Station. In his deposition, S.W.6 has stated that on 19.08.2022, Sri Dharmendra Gadhadi, Coy Commander, B Coy BOP Simna-II, Border Security Force [BSF] lodged an FIR before the Officer In-Charge, Ananda Bazar Police Station, District – North Tripura against the following accused persons – [i] Sri Bikram Bahadur Jamatia @ Bomthom @ Milan, SS 2nd Lieutenant NLFT BM Group, North Tripura; [ii] Sri Chtrabhanga Jamatia @ Furalcha @ Rumai, SS Sergant, North Tripura; [iii] Sri Ramnai Kolia @ Salchak @ Kifa, SS Warrant Officer, North Tripura; [iv] Sri Rangia Reanga @ Champai @ Ananta, SS Sergant, North Tripura; [v] Sri Kawla Kapeng @ Kalu @ Kaupai, SS Sergant, Ananda Bazar, Police Station – North Tripura; [vi] Sri Tirti Kumar Maison @ Thansa, SS L Corporal, North Tripura; and [vii] Sri Lebajoy Tripura @ Raikuchak @ Lingo, SS Private, North Tripura. The said FIR was registered as Ananda Bazar Police Station Case no. 09/2022 on 19.08.2022 under Sections 148/149/120B/302/121, IPC r/w Section 25 and Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959 r/w Section 10, Section 13 and Section 18 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. S.W.6 has deposed that by lodging the said FIR, the informant had informed about an incident which occurred at about 08-50 hours on 19.08.2022. As regards the contents of the FIR, S.W.6 has deposed that by the FIR, the informant informed14 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] that at about 08-50 hours on 19.08.2022, one BSF ADP party led by the informant, was fired upon by a militant group of the NLFT[BM] at IBBF Picket no. 459-460 between BP no. 2296/MP and BP no. 2297/MP in AOR BOP Simna-II, 145 Bn BSF. The guide of the ADP party was one Grigesh Kumar, Head Constable, who spotted someone on the Bangladesh side of the IBBF. Accordingly, Grigesh Kumar, Head Constable raised his hand to alert the ADP party following him. At that moment, a brust fire from AK series weapons were fired by the militants named in the FIR, upon Sri Grigesh Kumar, Head Constable from the Bangladesh side of the IBBF which damaged his weapon. Grigesh Kumar, Head Constable also sustained injuries in the said firing. In the FIR, it was mentioned that the members of the ADP party immediately retaliated with fire effectively. But, the militants taking advantage of the terrain, escaped to Bangladesh. The injured viz. Grigesh Kumar, Head Constable though evacuated to Agartala by helicopter but he was declared dead by the doctors of ILS Hospital, Agartala. The informant had further stated in the FIR that the seven named accused persons belonging to the NLFT[BM] group, who carried out the operation on that day, were also helped by the villagers of Rammuni Para and Mritujoy Para. The Coy Commander, B Coy BOP Simna-II, Border Security Force [BSF] further stated that the accused persons fired 6 to 8 rounds approx. whereas five personnel from the ADP BSF party fired 35 rounds of 5.56 Insas and 9 mm ball. S.W.6 has exhibited the FIR of Ananda Bazar Police Station Case no. 09/2022 along with the statements of witnesses recorded under Section 161, CrPC in connection with Ananda Bazar Police Station Case no. 09/2022 as Ext.-5. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.6 is marked as Ext. - S.W.6–A and his LTI on it are marked as Ext. - S.W.6–A[1], S.W.6-A[2] and S.W.6-A[3]. 31. S.W.7, Sri Amendra Debbarma @ Khwla has tendered his evidence-on-affidavit on 11.01.2024. S.W.7 in his evidence-in-chief has stated that he was a witness to the incident, which is the subject-matter of investigation of Panisagar Police Station Case no. 01/2020 registered on 01.01.2020 for offences under Sections 120B/121A/153A/384, IPC r/w Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959 r/w Section 10 and Section 13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. He has stated that being aware of the facts of the case, he has tendered his evidence. S.W.7 has deposed to the effect that on 01.01.2020, he witnessed that three persons were detained from the Agartala to Silchar train. The said three persons were suspected to be extremists and active members of the banned NLFT group. He has deposed that after receipt of information, the same was verified and the officers and staff of the local police station laid ambush at Panisagar Railway Station. He has further stated that from secret sources, the identities of the three active members were revealed and they were :- [i] Sri Kanti Marak @ Muchinfa [47], son of Late Cirial Marak, Bidhyanagar, Khedacherra [KDC] Police Station, North Tripura; [ii] Sri Samprai Debbarma [45], son of Sri Sambhu Charan Debbarma, Sudhiram Khatur Para, Police Station – Mandai, West Tripura; and [iii] Sri Fanijoy Reang @ Aathokiri [41], son of Late Data Ram Reang, Dhani Choudhury Para, Police Station – Manikpur, Dhalai. S.W.7 has further deposed that two more persons were arrested at the entrance gate of Panisagar Police Station, near the National Highway. On being asked, the said two persons disclosed their identities as [i] Sri Fanijoy Reang @ Aathokiri [41], son of Late Data Ram Reang, Dhani Choudhury Para, Police Station – Manikpur, Dhalai, and [ii] Sri Dabe Reang @ Dofa, son of Late Thanda Ram Reang, Chandra Kumar Para, Khedacherra [KDC] Police Station, North Tripura. On conducting search, [i] total 41 nos. of leaflets [notices] of the NLFT with 31 nos. envelopes; [ii] 2 nos. of collection receipt books of the NLFT; [iii] revenue stamp of the Revenue and Tax Department of the NLFT; [iv] one small diary; [v] one packet pad; [vi] one SBI Account Passbook of Kanti Marak being Account no. 31887172403 along with a cheque book, [vii] 3 nos. of mobile phones with SIM cards; and [viii] 2 nos. of black colour bags, were recovered from the arrested persons. He has further deposed that as per secret information, Police conducted raid at Rajbari near Dharmanagar Railway Station. In his testimony, P.W.7 has stated that during search, one 9 mm pistol with one magazine and total 6 nos. of live 9 mm ammunition were recovered from the possession of Sri Fanijoy Reang @ Aathokiri. During preliminary interrogation, the arrested accused persons disclosed that they had hatched criminal conspiracy against the Government and all of them were supposed to go to Damcherra for collection of subscriptions in favour of the banned NLFT extremists group to run their unlawful activities in the entire State. S.W.7 has deposed that all the persons named in the FIR, were involved in the conspiracy against the Government for collection of subscriptions to extortion from the local public. The witness has exhibited the FIR dated 01.01.2020 of Panisagar Police Station Case no. 01/2020 as Ext.-6. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.7 is marked as Ext. - S.W.7–A and his LTI on it are marked as Ext. - S.W.7–A[1], S.W.7-A[2] and S.W.7-A[3]. 32. S.W.8, Ms. Emilia Reang, Tripura Civil Service [TCS], Grade-I has adduced her evidence by way of affidavit on 11.01.2024 and the same is marked as Ext.–S.W.8–A. The signatures of S.W.8 appearing in Ext.–S.W.8- A are marked as Ext.–S.W.8–A[1] and S.W.8–A[2] respectively. In her deposition, S.W.8 has stated that at the time of adducing evidence, she has been serving as the Joint Director, Small Savings, Group Insurance & Institutional Finance. S.W.8 has deposed that on 14.01.2021, she was informed that Takarjala Police Station personnel had arrested 4 [four] extremists from Arjun Thakur Para and they were kept at Bishalgarh Police Station for further interrogation. At that relevant time, she was posted as the Executive Magistrate at the SDM Office, Bishalgarh. As she was requested to remain present during the course of interrogation, she remained present in Bishalgarh Police Station at the time of interrogation of the arrested extremists. She has stated that during interrogation, two extremists viz. Sri Ganga Ram Reang and Sri Sungha Mani Reang disclosed that they had killed a man by the name, Liton Nath, who was abducted by them from the areas within the Damcherra Police Station. This witness has deposed that the two extremists had narrated the whole story to her.[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 15 33. At the time of adducing his evidence-on-affidavit on 11.01.2021, S.W.9, Sri Ajay Debbarma has been serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Police & Sub-Divisional Police Officer [SDPO], Udaypur, District – Gomati, Tripura. He has stated that like all the previous witnesses, he has been authorized by the Government of Tripura to adduce evidence before the Tribunal. S.W.9 has deposed that on 12.01.2021, he lodged an FIR before the Officer In- Charge, Takarjala Police Station, District – Sepahijala, Tripura against the accused persons – [i] Sri Ganaram Reang [37] @ Bailing, son of Jibanda Reang of Manikrai Para, Police Station – Ananda Bazar [ABR]; [ii] Sri Jiban Reang [38], son of Nanda Mani Reang of Duganga, Kheda Cherra, Khedacherra [KDC] Police Station; [iii] Sri Lalthanga Reang [38], son of Harimohan Reang of Bhandarima, Police Station – Ananda Bazar [ABR]; [iv] Sri Singhamani Reang [34], son of Suktiram Reang of Gargoti, Police Station – Hailakandi, Assam. The said FIR was registered as Takarjala Police Station Case no. 02/2021 on 12.01.2021 under Section 120B, IPC r/w Section 25[1-B] and Section 28 of the Arms Act, 1959 r/w Sections 10/13/17/18 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. He has deposed to the effect that in the FIR, he informed that a group of 4-5 NLFT extremists, led by the self-proclaimed 2nd Lieutenant Ganaram Reang @ Bailing @ Ganga, were moving in the areas of Takarjala, Jampuijala, Radhapur and Jirania Police Station jurisdiction. He has stated that during the OPS, information was received about the presence of the group and its involvement in extortion and intimidation under the banner of banned organisation, NLFT. The house of one Achiram Debbarma at Arjun Thakur Para was raided by breaking open the door by Police and Police found four persons inside the house of Achiram Debbarma. Two of them aimed their pistols towards the Police party. During search, the following items, without any valid document as regards the fire arms, were seized – [i] 9 mm Pistol – 1; [ii] 9 mm Magazine – 1 no.; [iii] 9 mm Rds – 12 nos.; [iv] .4 Pistol – 01 no.; [v] .4 Magazine – 1 no.; [vi] .4 Rds – 5 nos.; [vii] NLFT notice for subscription – 20 nos.; [viii] Sim Telitalk – 02 nos.; [ix] Airtel Sim – 1 no.; [x] Jio Sim – 1 no.; [xi] Mobile Keypad – 3 nos. viz. Symphony – 1 no., Nokia – 2 nos.; [xii] Mobile Android – 1 no. viz. Realme; [xiii] Mobile Charger – 1 no.; [xiv] Cash Rs. 730/- only; [xv] Small Pocket Diary – 1 no.; [xvi] Personal belongings – toothpaste – 1, Tooth Brush – 4, Vaseline – 1, Master Blade / Vivel Soap; [xvii] Polythene – 1, etc. He has deposed that during interrogation, they disclosed their identities as – [1] Sri Ganaram Reang [37] @ Bailing, son of Jibanda Reang of Manikrai Para, Police Station – Ananda Bazar [ABR]; [2] Sri Jiban Reang [38], son of Nanda Mani Reang of Duganga, Kheda Cherra, Police Station – Khedacherra [KDC]; [3] Sri Lalthanga Reang [38], son of Harimohan Reang of Bhandarima, Police Station – Ananda Bazar [ABR]; and [4] Sri Singhamani Reang [34], son of Suktiram Reang of Gargoti, Hailakandi, Police Station – Katlicherra, Assam. S.W.9 has further deposed that among the four, Sri Singhamani Reang told him that he is a member of the Assam based insurgents group named United Democratic Liberation Front of Barak Valley [UDLFB] and he claimed that it was a sister organisation of the NLFT. The group also admitted their involvement in the kidnapping of Liton Nath of Damcherra in the month of November, 2020. S.W.9 has deposed that the constitution of the NLFT has advocated insurrection/secession against the Union of India and the State Government as their objectives. In his deposition, S.W.9 has stated about some of the prominent features of unlawful activities of the NLFT and they were [i] desperate attempts to thwart developmental works in the State, particularly, in the interior belts inhabited by the tribal people and to create an atmosphere of fear and panic; [ii] to generate a sense of insecurity in the minds of peace loving people with a view to exploit them as well as to make their presence felt in order to facilitate the outfits to carry out anti-national and unlawful activities; [iii] killing, kidnapping/abduction of innocent people for raising fund to carry out disruptive activities; and [iv] killing of security personnel for looting of arms and ammunitions, etc. S.W.9 has further deposed that intelligence inputs had indicated movement of the NLFT extremists group inside Tripura and across the border in the close vicinity of the International border. It has been deposed by him that from secret sources, it has also been revealed that during the period from October, 2022 to January, 2024, the NLFT [BM] had recruited 15 [fifteen] new cadres and the NLFT [PD] had recruited 2 [two] new cadres and out of those, 9 [nine] members had surrendered. S.W.9 has exhibited four nos. of documents, that is, Ext.-7A : the First Information Report [FIR] of Takarjala Police Station Case no. 02/2021 and the statements of the witnesses recorded under Section 161, CrPC with his signature thereon; Ext.-7B : the Constitution of the National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT]; Ext.-7C : copies of Intelligence inputs indicating movement of the NLFT extremists by Intelligence Agencies; and Ext.-7D : Documents regarding recruitment and surrender of cadres. 34. Sri Polash Dutta, Inspector of Police & Officer In-Charge, Gandacherra Police Station has deposed as S.W.10. In his evidence, S.W.10 has deposed that he lodged an FIR before the Officer In-Charge, Taidu Police Station, District – Gomati, Tripura on 10.03.2020 against the accused persons, [i] Sri Thomas Uchai, son of unknown, Jatanbari, Police Station – Natun Bazar [NTB]; [ii] Sri Birju Debbarma @ Bairfa, son of unknown, Kutul Para, Radhapur, Police Station – Radhapur; [iii] Sri Amit Debbarma @ Sudhir, son of unknown, Guru Dayal Para, Jampuijala, Police Station – Jampuijala; [iv] Sri Jaiba Kali, son of unknown, Baishyamani, Police Station – Ompi; [v] Sri Umesh Kalai, son of unknown, Kalachand Para, Police Station – Ompi; and [vi] Sri Kawlak Aipeng, son of unknown, Palku, Police Station – Taidu. The said FIR was registered as Taidu Police Station Case no. 06/2020 on 10.03.2020 for offences under Sections 120B/121A/122/124A/384/506, IPC r/w Section 10, Section 11 and Section 13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 r/w Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959. As regards the contents of the FIR, he has deposed that by the said FIR, he informed that in the evening hours of 10.02.2020, one Sri Mahidhan Molsom [65] of Taidu received a notice for subscription of money amounting to Rs. 2,00,000/- from the organisation, NLFT as tax. Subsequently in the morning hours of 23.02.2020, two unknown persons came to the house of Sri Mahidhan Molsom with one small arm and collected Rs. 20,000/- as instalment in respect of the notice for subscription. He has deposed that it was further learnt that a group of NLFT extremists consisting of 3-4 members were moving in the areas under16 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] the Taidu Police Station for collection of subscriptions from the innocent people as tax. He has further deposed that Sri Mahidhan Molsom was not willing to lodge any complaint against those people at that time due to fear of the NLFT extremists group. In his deposition, S.W.10 has further deposed that thereafter in the early morning hours of 04.03.2020, an information was received to the effect that 5-6 NLFT extremists with arms were moving at Lungfung area for collection of subscriptions from the innocent people. The Officer In-Charge, Taidu Police Station accompanied by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer [SDPO], Ompi and other staff rushed to the spot to verify the information. Upon their arrival, as revealed from a local source, it came to light that a group of extremists of the banned NLFT infiltrated into the Indian territory [Tripura] from Bangladesh and moved into areas under the jurisdiction of Taidu Police Station. It has been deposed by S.W.10 that the extremists were operating in groups of 5-6 cadres along with some overground facilitators from different locations. He has stated that some surrendered extremists from the NLFT had also joined the groups. The witness has further deposed that the groups even possessed AK series weapons and pistols and they had approximately 2-3 AK series weapons and good number of ammunitions. The groups were engaged in circulation of subscription notices on pads of NLFT and were extorting money from local Government employees. Sri Mahidhar Molsom and some other persons from Taidu Police Station areas were the victims, who had been threatened by the said extremists groups. S.W.10 has further deposed that during enquiry and with the assistance from reliable sources, the names of some of the active members of the NLFT extremists group could be known and they were, [i] Sri Thomas Uchai, son of unknown, Jatanbari, Police Station – Natun Bazar [NTB]; [ii] Sri Birju Debbarma @ Bairfa, son of unknown, Kutul Para, Radhapur, Police Station – Radhapur; [iii] Sri Amit Debbarma @ Sudhir, son of unknown, Guru Dayal Para, Jampuijala, Police Station – Jampuijala; [iv] Sri Jaiba Kali, son of unknown, Baishyamani, Police Station – Ompi; [v] Sri Umesh Kalai, son of unknown, Kalachand Para, Police Station – Ompi; and [vi] Sri Kawla Aipeng, son of unknown, Palku, Police Station – Taidu, along with other unknown persons. The witness has stated that all of them had hatched criminal conspiracy to carry out unlawful activities, as defined under the UA[P] Act, 1967. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.10 is marked as Ext.-S.W.10-A and his signatures on it are marked as Ext.-S.W.10-A[1], Ext.-S.W.10-A[2] and Ext.-S.W.10-A[3]. S.W.10 has exhibited a set of documents collectively as Ext.-8 which consisted of [i] the FIR dated 10.03.2020 lodged in collection with Taidu Police Station Case no. 06/2020; [ii] the extract of Taidu Police Station General Diary Entry no. 28 dated 10.03.2020; [iii] statements of witnesses recorded under Section 161, CrPC in connection with Taidu Police Station Case no. 06/2020; and [iv] the charge sheet being Charge Sheet no. 03/2021 submitted in connection with Taidu Police Station Case no. 06/2020. 35. S.W.11 is Sri Ranjit Debbarma, who at the time of deposition has been serving as a Sub-Inspector of Police at Manikpur Police Station, District – Dhalai, Tripura. S.W.11 who has adduced his evidence by way of affidavit on 11.01.2024, has stated to the effect that on 03.08.2021, one Sri Angoor Das lodged an FIR before the Officer In- Charge, Manikpur Police Station, District – Dhalai against unknown insurgents and the said FIR was registered as Manikpur Police Station Case no. 02/2021 under Sections 148/149/120B/302/121/124, IPC r/w Section 382[P], Criminal Law [Tripura Amendment] Act, 2018 r/w Section 25 and Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959 r/w Section 3 of the IPP [Entry into India] Act, 1920 r/w Section 10 and Section 13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 on 03.08.2021. S.W.11 disclosing about the contents of the FIR, has deposed that it was informed at 05-30 hours on 03.08.2021 that a BSF fence checking party comprising of S.I./G.D. Buru Singh and C.T./G.D. Rajkumar along with the operational party consisting of total ten BSF personnel left the BOP, RC Nath to carry out fence checking/patrolling in the Area of Responsibility [AoR] of the BOP RC Nath, 64 Bn BSF. It has been deposed that subsequently at about 06-30 hours, the said fence checking party was ambushed by 10-12 heavily armed insurgents who fired at them with high intensity. Though the fence checking party valiantly retaliated, the members of the fence checking party received bullet injuries from the insurgents. As a result of the firing and the ambush, the two BSF personnel, S.I./G.D. Buru Singh and C.T./G.D. Rajkumar succumbed to their injuries at the place of ambush itself. S.W.11 has further deposed that subsequently, the insurgents hurriedly took away the weapons of the deceased BSF personnel, S.I./G.D. Buru Singh and C.T./G.D. Rajkumar i.e. [i] 9 mm beretta along with 02 magazines; [ii] 32 rounds; [iii] one 7.62 mm AK-47 rifle along with 02 magazines; and [iv] 60 rounds of ammunition. The group of insurgents had thereafter, escaped towards the Bangladesh side. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.11 is marked as Ext.-S.W.11-A and the signatures of S.W.11 appearing in Ext.-S.W.11-A are marked as Ext.-S.W.11-A[1] and Ext.-S.W.11-A[2] respectively. S.W.11 exhibited a set of documents collectively as Ext.-9 which consisted of [i] the FIR dated 03.08.2021 lodged in collection with Manikpur Police Station Case no. 02/2021; [ii] the extract of Manikpur Police Station General Diary Entry no. 19 dated 03.08.2021; and [iii] statements of witnesses recorded under Section 161, CrPC in connection with Manikpur Police Station Case no. 02/2021. 36. S.W.12, Sri Subal Debnath, a resident of Village – Charilam Kamraj Colony, Police Station – Bisramganj, Post Office – South Charilam, District – Sepahijala, Tripura has deposed as a victim of an incident recorded in the FIR of Ganganagar Police Station Case no. 04/2020. S.W.12 has deposed to the effect that in between 08-30 hours and 09- 30 hours on 07.12.2020, he and some other NPCC workers were engaged in India – Bangladesh Border [IBB] fencing and road construction works in between Bhim BOP to Biswas BOP of 138 Bn BSF. At that time, seven nos. of extremists armed with advanced weapons appeared at the working site and kidnapped him and two other persons at gunpoint for ransom. The kidnapped persons were taken forcibly to areas inside Bangladesh. The witness has deposed that the operation was led by the NLFT extremists’ group leader, Sri Bikram Bahadur Jamatia @ Bomthom in order to[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 17 stop border fencing works for the purpose of their free movement in between India and Bangladesh to carry out their illegal activities. The FIR in connection with the said incident was lodged by one Sri Apu Dey, an NPCC contractor and the said FIR was registered as Ganganagar Police Station Case no. 04/2020 under Sections 364A/120B, IPC r/w Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959 r/w Section 10 and Section 13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.12 is marked as Ext.-S.W.12-A and the signatures of S.W.12 appearing in Ext.-S.W.12-A are marked as Ext.- S.W.12-A[1] and Ext.-S.W.12-A[2]. S.W.12 has exhibited a set of documents collectively as Ext.-10 which consisted of [i] the FIR dated 07.12.2020 lodged in collection with Ganganagar Police Station Case no. 04/2020; and [ii] statements of witnesses recorded under Section 161, CrPC in connection with Ganganagar Police Station Case no. 04/2020. 37. S.W.13, Sri Subhash Bhowmik, son of Late Debendra Kumar Bhowmik, resident of Village – Purba Dhajanagar, Police Station & Post Office – R.K. Pur, District – Gomati, Tripura has deposed as a victim of the incident reported in Ganganagar Police Station Case no. 04/2020. S.W.13 has deposed to the effect that in between 08- 30 hours to 09-30 hours on 07.12.2020, he along with some other NPCC workers was engaged in IBB fence and construction works in between Bhim BOP to Biswas BOP of 138 Bn BSF. At that time, seven nos. of extremists possessing advanced weapons, appeared at the working site and kidnapped him and two others at gunpoint for ransom. S.W.13 has further deposed that they were thereafter, forcibly taken to areas in Bangladesh. The operation was led by the leader of the NLFT extremists’ group, Sri Bikram Bahadur Jamatia @ Bomthom in order to stop border fencing works for their free movements between India and Bangladesh to carry out their illegal activities. The witness has stated that in connection with the said kidnapping incident, Sri Apu Dey, one NPCC contractor lodged the FIR before the Officer In-Charge, Ganganagar Police Station and it was on the basis of the said FIR, the case, Ganganagar Police Station Case no. 04/2020 was registered under Sections 364A/120B, IPC r/w Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959 r/w Section 10 and Section 13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 on 07.12.2020. Stating that he had knowledge about the contents of the said FIR, S.W.13 has exhibited the FIR dated 07.12.2020, lodged in connection with Ganganagar Police Station Case no. 04/2020 and the statements of the witnesses recorded under Section 161, CrPC in connection therewith, as Ext.-10, which has also been exhibited by S.W.12. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.13 is marked as Ext.-S.W.13-A and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.13-A[1] and S.W.13-A[2]. 38. At the time of adducing his evidence by way of affidavit, S.W.14, Sri Ngurpuithanga Halam has been serving as a Sub-Inspector of Police at Sidhai Police Station. It has been stated by him that on 13.01.2001, one Sri Rabindra Debbarma lodged an FIR before the Officer In-Charge, Sidhai Police Station, District – West Tripura against a group of armed extremists and the said FIR was registered as Sidhai Police Station Case no. 03/2001 on 13.01.2001 under Sections 148/149/364/302, IPC r/w Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959 and he was the officer who arrested the accused in connection with the said case. Stating about the contents of the FIR, S.W.14 has stated that by the said FIR, the informant had stated that a group of armed extremists shot his brother, Late Sudhar Debbarma. S.W.14 has exhibited the FIR lodged in connection with Sidhai Police Station Case no. 03/2001 as Ext.-11. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.14 is marked as Ext.-S.W.14-A and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.14-A[1] and S.W.14-A[2]. 39. S.W.15, Sri Lalduhkima Molsom has deposed in the capacity of the Inspector of Police, O/o the Superintendent of Police [SB], Tripura, Agartala by adducing evidence in the form of affidavit on 11.01.2024. S.W.15 has deposed to the effect that the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] is one of the major insurgent outfits of Tripura and over the years, the ATTF has unleashed a reign of terror by indulging in secessionist, anti-national and disruptive activities within the State of Tripura, with the aim and objective of destabilizing the democratically constituted Government and to liberate Tripura from the Union of India through armed struggle. S.W.15 has further deposed that even the Constitution of the ATTF has advocated insurrection/secession against the Union of India and the State Governments as their objectives. As regards the unlawful activities of the ATTF, S.W.15 has stated that the prominent features of the unlawful activities of the ATTF are [i] desperate attempts to thwart development works in the State, particularly, in the interior belts inhabited by the tribal people and to create an atmosphere of fear and panic; [ii] to generate a sense of insecurity in the minds of peace loving people with a view to exploit them as well as to make their presence felt in order to facilitate the outfits to carry out anti-national and unlawful activities; [iii] killing, kidnapping/abduction of innocent people for raising fund to carry out disruptive activities; and [iv] killing of security personnel for looting of arms and ammunitions, etc. It has been stated that the ATTF is maintaining separate armed wings with a hierarchical set-up in the pattern of a regular army equipped with a large cache of sophisticated weapons and explosive devices. The ATTF boycotts celebration of National events like the Republic Day, the Independence Day, etc. and they also observe 15th October as the black day every year in protest against merger of the State of Tripura with the Union of India. As per the intelligence reports, the outfit, ATTF has been collecting arms with the help of foreign agencies and other North-East based underground outfits like National Socialist Council of Nagaland [Khaplang] [NSCN-K], Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup [KYKL] of Manipur, Kamtapur Liberation Organisation [KLO] of Assam, etc. S.W.15 has further stated that these outfits target security forces and civilians and deliberately recruit innocent tribal youths with false promises and take them to Bangladesh for imparting guerilla training, with intent to accelerate their so-called armed struggle. In his deposition, S.W.15 has further deposed that the people in the border areas are under constant threats from the organisation, ATTF and they are aggressively trying to recruit the innocent civilians in their organisation. In his additional evidence, S.W.15 has stated about subsequent developments, which had occurred subsequent to 11.01.2024. He has stated that on 15.01.2024, two persons belonging to the extremists’18 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] group, NLFT viz. [i] Sri Bishnuram Reang @ Baikang; and [ii] Sri Sukumar Reang @ Sinai @ Dusum surrendered before the Deputy Inspector of Police [DIGP] [Intelligence], Tripura and the Superintendent of Police [SB], Agartala. The said two persons, [i] Sri Bishnuram Reang @ Baikang; and [ii] Sri Sukumar Reang @ Sinai @ Dusum were interrogated on 16.01.2024 at the SB Organisation Headquarters at Agartala in his presence and in presence of other police officials viz. [i] Sri Shayamananda Sarma, Additional Superintendent of Police [SB]; [ii] Sri Kamal Krishna Kalai, Deputy Superintendent of Police [SB], Agartala; and [iii] Sri Sushil Debbarma, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police, Agartala. As regards the interrogation, S.W.15 has stated that during the course of interrogation, no form of coercion and/or any form of force was used/employed upon the two surrendered cadres of the NLFT :- [i] Sri Bishnuram Reang @ Baikang; and [ii] Sri Sukumar Reang @ Sinai @ Dusum and the said two persons voluntarily and in sound mind had stated various aspects like activities, functioning, etc. of the NLFT and the ATTF and the same were duly noted by the officials attending the interrogation. Subsequently, interrogation reports have been prepared, recording duly and correctly the statements made by the said two surrendered persons viz. [i] Sri Bishnuram Reang @ Baikang; and [ii] Sri Sukumar Reang @ Sinai @ Dusum. The witness has further stated that he along with the other three police officials, named above, was all along present during the interrogation. S.W.15 has exhibited the Constitution of the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] as Ext.12. S.W.15 has exhibited a set of intelligence reports, which are collectively marked as Ext.13-series. S.W.15 has exhibited the interrogation reports collectively as Ext.20- series, which are also exhibited by Sri Haribal Sarkar, S.W.21. S.W.15 as one of the signatories in the interrogation reports, has exhibited his signature therein as Ext.20-A. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.15 is marked as Ext.- S.W.15-A and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.15-A[1], S.W.15-A[2] and S.W.15-A[3]. The additional evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.15 is marked as Ext.-S.W.15-B and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.15-B[1], S.W.15-B[2] and S.W.15-B[3]. 40. S.W.16, Sri Indrajit Debbarma at the time of submission of his evidence-on-affidavit on 12.01.2024, has been serving as a Sub-Inspector of Police, O/o the Superintendent of Police [SB], Tripura, Agartala. In his deposition, S.W.16 has deposed to that effect that All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] is one of the major insurgent outfits of Tripura and over the years, the organisation and its cadres have unleashed a reign of terror all these years by indulging in secessionist, anti-national and disruptive activities within the State of Tripura, with the aim and objective to destabilize the democratically constituted Government and liberate Tripura from the Union of India through armed struggle. He has further deposed that the Constitution of the ATTF has advocated insurrection/secession against the Union of India and the State Government as one of their main objectives. The witness has further mentioned about some of the prominent features of unlawful activities of the ATTF and they are :- [i] desperate attempts to thwart developmental works in the State, particularly, in the interior belts inhabited by the tribal people and to create an atmosphere of fear and panic; [ii] to generate a sense of insecurity in the minds of peace loving people with a view to exploit them as well as to make their presence felt in order to facilitate the outfits to carry out anti-national and unlawful activities; [iii] killing, kidnapping/abduction of innocent people for raising fund to carry out disruptive activities; and [iv] killing of security personnel for looting of arms and ammunitions, etc. He has stated that the ATTF has been maintaining separate armed wings with a hierarchical set-up in the pattern of a regular army equipped with a large cache of sophisticated weapons and explosive devices. It has been further deposed by him that the ATTF boycotts celebration of national events like the Republic Day, the Independence Day, etc. and they also observe 15th October as black day every year in protest of joining of the State of Tripura with the Union of India. He has further deposed that as per the intelligence reports, the outfit, ATTF has been collecting arms with the help of foreign agencies and other North-East based underground outfits like National Socialist Council of Nagaland [Khaplang] [NSCN-K], Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup [KYKL] of Manipur, Kamtapur Liberation Organisation [KLO] of Assam, etc. It has been stated by this witness that these outfits target security forces and civilians and is also recruiting innocent tribal youths with false promises to take them to Bangladesh for imparting guerilla warfare training, with intent to accelerate their armed struggle. The organisation cadres put the population in the border areas under constant threats and they aggressively are trying to recruit innocent civilians in their group. P.W.16 has referred to and exhibited the same intelligence reports, which are also exhibited by S.W.15, Sri Lalduhkima Molsom. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.16 is marked as Ext.-S.W.16-A and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.16-A[1], S.W.16-A[2] and S.W.16- A[3]. 41. Sri Minal Debbarma, a Sub-Inspector of Police posted at the office of the Superintendent of Police [SB], Tripura, Agartala has adduced his evidence-on-affidavit as S.W.17. In his testimony, S.W.17 has reiterated the versions given by the previous witnesses, S.W.15 and S.W.16 and S.W.17 has also exhibited the same set of documents. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.17 is marked as Ext.-S.W.17-A and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.17-A[1], S.W.17-A[2] and S.W.17-A[3]. 42. Sri Sushil Debbarma, an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police posted at the office of the Superintendent of Police [SB], Tripura, Agartala, has adduced his evidence-on-affidavit as S.W.18. In his testimony, S.W.18 has reiterated the versions given by the previous witnesses, S.W.15 and S.W.16 and S.W.18 has also exhibited the same set of documents. S.W.18 has, on 23.02.2024, also adduced additional evidence by way of affidavit. In his such testimony, S.W.18 has deposed, like S.W.15, that on 15.01.2024, two persons belonging to the extremists’ group, NLFT viz. [i] Sri Bishnuram Reang @ Baikang; and [ii] Sri Sukumar Reang @ Sinai @ Dusum surrendered before the Deputy Inspector of Police [DIGP] [Intelligence], Tripura and the Superintendent of Police [SB], Agartala. The[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 19 said two surrendered persons, [i] Sri Bishnuram Reang @ Baikang; and [ii] Sri Sukumar Reang @ Sinai @ Dusum were interrogated on 16.01.2024 at the SB Organisation Headquarters at Agartala in his presence and in presence of other police officials viz. [i] Sri Shayamananda Sarma, Additional Superintendent of Police [SB]; [ii] Sri Kamal Krishna Kalai, Deputy Superintendent of Police [SB], Agartala; and [iii] Sri Lalduhkima Molsom, Inspector of Police, O/o the Superintendent of Police [SB], Tripura, Agartala. As regards the interrogation, S.W.18 has stated that during the course of interrogation, no form of coercion and/or any form of force was used/employed upon the two surrendered cadres of the NLFT, [i] Sri Bishnuram Reang @ Baikang; and [ii] Sri Sukumar Reang @ Sinai @ Dusum and the said two persons voluntarily and in sound mind had stated various aspects like activities, functioning, etc. of the NLFT and the ATTF and the same were duly noted by the officials attending the interrogation. Subsequently, interrogation reports have been prepared, recording duly and correctly the statements made by the said two surrendered persons viz. [i] Sri Bishnuram Reang @ Baikang; and [ii] Sri Sukumar Reang @ Sinai @ Dusum. The witness has further stated that he along with the other three police officials, named above, was all along present during the interrogation. S.W.18 has exhibited the interrogation reports collectively as Ext.20-series, which are also exhibited by Sri Haribal Sarkar, S.W.21. S.W.18, being one of the signatories in the interrogation reports. S.W.18 has exhibited his signature therein as Ext.20-B. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.18 is marked as Ext.-S.W.18-A and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.18-A[1], S.W.18-A[2] and S.W.18-A[3]. The additional evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.18 is marked as Ext.-S.W.18-B and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.18-B[1], S.W.18-B[2] and S.W.18-B[3]. 43. S.W.19, Sri Priya Ranjan Debbarma [48], son of Late Bidya Kumar Debbarma is a resident of Rajani Sardar Para, Police Station – Kalyanpur, District – Khowai, Tripura. He has deposed before the Tribunal as a witness, who is aware of the militant group, ATTF. In his evidence-on-affidavit, S.W.19 has deposed that since he has been residing in a border area of the State of Tripura which is adjacent to Bangladesh, he is aware of the illegal activities conducted by the ATTF as they are having their operations in the areas nearby. He has deposed that the outfit, ATTF has over the years, unleashed a reign of terror over them, by threatening them, and has been demanding money from the people of the locality. He has stated that the ATTF has also been trying to recruit new personnel in their group and has been indulging in killing, kidnapping/abduction of innocent people for raising funds to carry out disruptive activities. It has been stated by S.W.19 that due to the illegal acts of the ATTF, the people of his locality have to live under constant fear to their lives. He has stated that if the organisation, ATTF is not declared to be unlawful then in all probability, it would be a moral booster to the members of the group and the same would be harmful for the lives of the citizens. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.19 is marked as Ext.-S.W.19-A and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.19-A[1] and S.W.19-A[2]. 44. S.W.20, Sri Sushil Debbarma @ Minija [43], son of Late Kalidhan Debbarma is a resident of Sonarai Bari, Police Station – Kalyanpur, District – Khowai, Tripura. He like S.W.19, has deposed before the Tribunal as a witness, who is aware of the militant group, ATTF. In his evidence-on-affidavit, S.W.20 has deposed that since he has been residing in a border area of the State of Tripura which is adjacent to Bangladesh, he is aware of the subversive activities conducted by the ATTF as the outfit has been carrying on their operations in the nearby areas. He has deposed that the outfit, ATTF has over the years, unleashed a reign of terror over them, by threatening them, and has been demanding money from the people of the locality. He has stated that the ATTF has also been trying to recruit new personnel in their group and has been indulging in killing, kidnapping/abduction of innocent people for raising funds to carry out disruptive activities. It has been testified by S.W.20 that due to the illegal acts of the ATTF, the people of his locality have to live under constant fear to their lives. He has stated that if the organisation, ATTF is not declared to be unlawful then in all probability, it would be a moral booster to the members of the group and the same would be harmful for the lives of the citizens. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.20 is marked as Ext.-S.W.20-A and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.20-A[1] and S.W.20-A[2]. 45. S.W.21, Sri Haribal Sarkar is the Under Secretary to the Government of Tripura, Home Department. In his evidence-on-affidavit, S.W.21 has stated that he has been duly authorized to deal with the matter under reference before the Tribunal and is competent to depose on behalf of the State of Tripura. In his testimony, he has deposed that he has adduced evidence on the basis of the official records. He has deposed that the Ministry of Home Affairs, NE Division-II, Government of India had addressed a Letter no. 1101102/2023-NE.V dated 27.01.2023 to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Tripura and the said Letter was in reference to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India’s earlier Letter of even number dated 12.01.2023. The two Letters under reference were for review of the existing declaration of the National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] and the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] as ‘unlawful associations’ under the UA[P] Act, 1967. He has stated that by the said two Letters, the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs sought for information/inputs from the State Government for the purpose of reviewing the entire matter. The information/inputs sought from the Government of Tripura by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government India were on the following aspects :- [a] the details of the cases registered against cadres/activists of these insurgent groups [organisation-wise] under the UA[P] Act, 1967 from 03.11.2018 onwards, the details of charge sheets filed and indication of the persons prosecuted/convicted in these cases; [b] as both the NLFT and the ATTF were declared as ‘terrorist organisations’ in the First Schedule to the UA[P] Act, 1967, whether there was justification for their declaration as ‘unlawful associations’ also, under the UA[P] Act, 1967 when they were already declared as terrorist organisations in the same Act; and [c] in addition to [a] and [b], the comments of the State Government on the desirability of declaration of the NLFT and the ATTF as ‘unlawful associations’20 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] beyond 02.10.2023 along with justification and information/inputs. S.W.21 has exhibited the Ministry of Home Affairs, NE Division-II, Government of India’s Letter no. 1101102/2023-NE.V dated 27.01.2023 as Ext.-14 and Letter no. 1101102/2023-NE.V dated 12.01.2023 as Ext.-15. S.W.21 has stated that on receipt of the two Letters, Ext.- 14 and Ext.-15, the Deputy Secretary to the Government of Tripura vide Letter no. F.21[20]-PD/2022/365 dated 01.02.2023 forwarded the Letter, Ext.-15 to the Director General of Police, Tripura requesting him to furnish the Report to the Home Department, Government of Tripura for onward transmission to the Ministry of Home Affairs, NE Division-II, Government of India. S.W.21 has exhibited the Letter no. F.21[20]-PD/2022/365 dated 01.02.2023 of the Deputy Secretary to the Government of Tripura, Home Department as Ext.-16. S.W.21 has deposed to the effect that the Senior Superintendent of Police [SB], Tripura, Agartala vide Letter no. 4859-61/SP/SB/EXT/2023 dated 11.02.2023 had furnished point-wise reply with justification and comments, which were marked as Annexure-A, Annexure-B and Annexure-C to the said Letter, to the Deputy Secretary to the Government of Tripura, Home Department. He has exhibited the Letter no. 4859-61/SP/SB/EXT/2023 dated 11.02.2023 as Ext-17. In the testimony, he has stated that Annexure-A to Ext.-17 contained the details of the cases registered against the cadres of the NLFT and the ATTF w.e.f. 03.10.2018 to 31.01.2023. The witness has further stated that amongst the 35 nos. of cases referred in Annexure-A to Ext.-17, FIRs of some of those cases have already been exhibited by the concerned officials of the State Government. S.W.21 has further stated that Annexure-B to Ext.-17 Letter contained the justification for declaring the NLFT and the ATTF as ‘unlawful associations’. In his evidence, S.W.21 has also referred to the contents of Annexure-B to Ext.-17 Letter, which would be adverted to in the later part of this order. S.W.21 has further deposed that Annexure-C to Ext.-17 Letter contained the comments of the State Government on the desirability to declare the NLFT and the ATTF as ‘unlawful associations’ beyond 02.10.2023 along with justification and information/inputs. He has further referred to the justification and information/inputs, contained in Annexure-C, in his deposition. It has been further deposed by him that on receipt of the Ext.-17 Letter along with Annexure-A, Annexure- B and Annexure-C from the Senior Superintendent of Police [SB], Tripura, Agartala, the Deputy Secretary to the Government of Tripura, Home Department vide Letter no. F.21[20]-PD/2022/540 dated 01.03.2023 forwarded the same to the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, NE Division-II, New Delhi for information and necessary action. S.W.21 has exhibited the Letter no. F.21[20]-PD/2022/540 dated 01.03.2023 as Ext.-18. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.21 is marked as Ext.-S.W.21-A and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.21-A[1], S.W.21-A[2], S.W.21-A[3], S.W.21-A[4], S.W.21-A[5], S.W.21-A[6], S.W.21-A[7] and S.W.21-A[8]. 46. S.W.22, Sri Krishnendu Chakravertty, Deputy Inspector General of Police [Crime & Intelligence] & In- Charge, Inspector General of Police [Crime] has filed his evidence-on-affidavit on 29.01.2022. He has stated that Sri Ranjit Debbarma, the Chief of the ATTF was arrested on 09.11.2017 in connection with Teliamura Police Station Case no. 08/2017 under Sections 124A/153A/153B/120B, Indian Penal Code r/w Sections 10/13/18 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 r/w Section 82 of the Tripura Protection Act. Sri Ranjit Debbarma was released on bail later on. S.W.22 has deposed that from interrogation report of Sri Ranjit Debbarmam it was learnt that the group, ATTF has substantial arms and ammunitions concealed in Satchari area, Police Station – Chunarughat, District – Habiganj, Bangladesh, which is opposite to the border of Sidhai Police Station. In his testimony, S.W.22 has further deposed that it has also been learnt from reliable sources that after his release on bail, Sri Ranjit Debbarma has developed close association with the leaders of the NLFT[DM] group, more particularly, with Sri Omthai Debbarma @ Utpal, SS Foreign Secretary and some other active extremists. S.W.22 has further deposed that it has been learnt from reliable sources that in from 2018 and 2019 onwards, Sri Ranjit Debbarma had visited Guwahati, Assam and there, he met few insurgent leaders of the North-East, namely, Sri Anup Chetia of ULFA, Sri Sasadhar Chowdhury of SULFA, Sri Arabinda Rajkhowa of ULFA, Sri Ranjan Daimari @ Nabla of NDFB and Sri Lalit Gairi of ULFA. During the years from 2019 to 2022, there were intelligence inputs that Sri Ranjit Debbarma had been actively trying to revive the organisation. He has stated that in the year 2007, the ATTF extremists group bought land at Alutilla, Khagrachari in Bangladesh and the land was registered in the name of Sri Swapan Debbarma. In the said plot of land, the group, ATTF has constructed a hotel, namely, Emang Restaurant–cum–Hotel and later on, Sri Ranjit Debbarma converted the land in the name of his wife, Smti. Kobita Debbarma. He has further stated that till date, the active ATTF cadres had earned huge income from the Emang Restaurant and engaged the local ATTF sympathisers there. S.W.22 has stated that it has been revealed from intelligence inputs that the ATTF extremists group has a huge lemon/pineapple garden at Dulubari, Police Station – Srimangal, Bangladesh and the said garden is maintained by the ATTF sympathiser, Sri Swapan Debbarma. He has stated to the effect that constant communications are going on with Sri Ranjit Debbarma for an attempt to revive the organisation. The active ATTF cadres are keeping a sharp watch on the hidden arms and ammunitions. He has deposed that the arms and ammunitions hidden by the group in Satchari jungle of Bangladesh is a huge threat and the existence of such arms and ammunitions points towards revival of the group. During the period from 2019 to 2021, the group made several attempts to make recruitments through its sympathisers/overground workers. S.W.22 has further stated that the group has been maintaining continuous association with other insurgent groups, [a] United Liberation Front of Assam, Independent [ULFA(I)]; [b] Kamtapur Liberation Organisation [KLO], an Assam based extremists outfit; [c] National Socialist Council of Nagaland [NSCN/K]; and [d] Kangiel Yawol Kanna Lup [KYKL], a Manipur based extremists group. Deposing about the recent activities of the group, ATTF, S.W.22 has stated that recent field inputs of the year 2023 indicated that the ATTF cadres were found moving occasionally in the areas of Gumsingbari, Sukhiyabari, Manaibari, Lengrabari and Asarambari under Chameahour Police Station, Khengrabari, Belcherra, Daigyabari, Sonarampara, Sushandala and Laltilla areas within Khowai[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 21 District to collect extortion money and for recruitment drive to revive the ATTF extremists group but due to intensified movements of security forces, those attempts were not successful. It has been further deposed by S.W.22 that on 12.03.2021, Sri Parimal Debbarma @ Phankrak, SS, Chief of NLFT[PD] group was arrested in connection with Khedachhara Police Station Case no. 01/2021 dated 12.03.2021 under Sections 120B/386/506/34, IPC r/w Sections 10/13/18 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. During his interrogation, it was revealed that the NLFT group had made an attempt to recover the dumped arms cache of the ATTF from Satchari area, Police Station – Sonarughat, District – Habiganj, Bangladesh. In 2020, the ATTF made an attempt to recover the hidden arms and ammunitions in an attempt to revive the organisation. It has been deposed by him that recent field reports have suggested that arms and ammunitions are still concealed in their possession at Satchari area of Bangladesh. He has stated that in view of the fact that the outfit, ATTF is maintaining their weapon holdings in Bangladesh as well as their network with other Indian insurgent outfits and anti-Indian forces in Bangladesh, there is justifiable reason to believe that the activities of the outfit, ATTF still pose greater degree of threat. He has stated that such information have got corroboration from the interrogation reports of five members of the NLFT[PD] who had surrendered on 15.01.2024. S.W.22 has mentioned that on 15.01.2024, five members of the NLFT[PD] had surrendered and they were :- [i] Sri Bishnuram Reang [26] @ Baikang, son of Late Upendra Reang, Manikrai, Police Station – Ananda Bazar, District – North Tripura; [ii] Sri Sukumar Reang [27] @ Sinai, son of Late Lalnunthara, Khaithai Para, Police Station – Ananda Bazar, District – North Tripura; [iii] Sri Kiranjit Reang [20] @ Berem, son of Late Lalrama Reang, Palastar, Police Station – Ananda Bazar, District – North Tripura; [iv] Sri Mohandha Reang [36] @ Salthang, son of Late Gayadha Reang, Monachara, Police Station – Khedacherra, District – North Tripura; and [v] Sri Netajoy Reang [33] @ Naising, son of Sri Ratanjoy Reang, Bhagichandra Para, Police Station – Ananda Bazar. In his deposition, S.W.22 has stated that in February, 2020, three returnees of the group, NLFT[PD] viz. [i] Sri Bishnuram Reang [26] @ Baikang, son of Late Upendra Reang, Manikrai, Police Station – Ananda Bazar, District – North Tripura; [ii] Sri Sukumar Reang [27] @ Sinai, son of Late Lalnunthara, Khaithai Para, Police Station – Ananda Bazar, District – North Tripura; [iii] Sri Kiranjit Reang [20] @ Berem, son of Late Lalrama Reang, Palastar, Police Station – Ananda Bazar, District – North Tripura; underwent training at Khedrapara, NLFT[PD] camp in Bangladesh. They were trained with drill discipline, arms handling and guerrilla warfare training. After their training, they went to Jamtali, Police Station – Dijinala, Bangladesh in April, 2020 and constructed a pucca house for their Chief, Sri Parimal Debbarma @ Phankrak. They also visited Khagrachari, Bangladesh. In December, 2022, the returnees visited Chitaganj and worked there as labour at KDS company. After their return from Chitaganj they stayed at Zopui, Bangladesh. During that time, Sri Mangal Debbarma @ Keche Keche and Sri Bishnu Bijoy Rupini @ Bedek, SS Warrant Officer frequently met with the leader of the NLFT[BM] group, Sri Bikram Bahadur Jamatia @ Bomthom. The group was operating in the border areas within Dhalai and North Districts to collect money and to recruit new cadres. In his testimony, S.W.22 has further stated that in November, 2020 and April, 2023, the group went to Silchari/Khagrachari in Bangladesh where they met with the cadres of the groups, NSCN[K], KLO-Assam, KYKL- Manipur, etc. They also met Sri Bikram Bahadur Jamatia @ Bomthom of the NLFT[BM] group and Sri Jahar Debbarma @ Rubel of the ATTF. There were frequent meetings with the PCJS [Shanti Bahini], a Chakma extremists group of Bangladesh. He has stated that the groups – the NLFT[BM] and the ATTF – had/has close coordination with each other and shared arms and ammunitions as per their requirements. The cadres of the NLFT[BM] and the KLO stayed together at Silchari camp in Bangladesh. He has deposed to the effect that from the interrogations of the five surrendered NLFT[PD] cadres it has been found out that on several occasions in 2021/2022/2023, the ATTF was in continuous touch with other insurgent groups like [i] United Liberation Front of Assam, Independent [ULFA(I)]; [ii] Kamtapur Liberation Organisation [KLO], the Assam based extremists outfit; [iii] National Socialist Council of Nagaland [NSCN/K]; and [iv] Kangiel Yawol Kanna Lup [KYKL], the Manipur based extremists outfit. The outfit, ATTF has been trying to consolidate its strength by taking advantage of political turmoil in neighbouring Bangladesh on the eve of Bangladesh Election and the outfit is determined to work together with anti-Indian forces in Bangladesh to disintegrate India as their arms and ammunitions are still concealed and there are huge properties in the name of the ATTF. He has deposed that the returnees have revealed that the ATTF has fundamental revival capability in the form of arms stock and their main leaders have good financial support in Bangladesh. S.W.22 has exhibited a letter dated 24.01.2024 of the Superintendent of Police [Serious Crime] O/o the Inspector General of Police [Crime & Intelligence], Tripura Police containing intelligence reports as Ext.19. The interrogation reports of [i] Sri Bishnuram Reang @ Baikang; [ii] Sri Sukumar Reang @ Sinai @ Dusum; and [iii] Sri Kiranjit Reang @ Berem are exhibited collectively as Ext.20. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.22 is marked as Ext.-S.W.22-A and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.22-A[1], S.W.22-A[2], S.W.22-A[3], S.W.22-A[4], S.W.22-A[5], S.W.22-A[6] and S.W.22-A[7]. 47. S.W.23, Sri Shayamananda Sarma at the time of filing his evidence-on-affidavit, has been serving as the Additional Superintendent of Police [SB], O/o the Superintendent of Police [SB], Tripura. In his deposition, he has stated that on 15.01.2024, two persons belonging the extremists group, NLFT viz. [i] Sri Bishnuram Reang @ Baikang; and [ii] Sri Sukumar Reang @ Sinai @ Dusum, surrendered before the Deputy Inspector General of Police [DIG] [Intelligence] and the Superintendent of Police [SB], Agartala. He has stated that on 16.01.2024, the said two surrendered NLFT cadres were interrogated in the Special Branch Headquarters, Agartala in his presence and in presence of [i] Sri Kamal Krishna Kalai, Deputy Superintendent of Police [SB], Agartala; [ii] Sri Lalduhkima22 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] Molsom, Inspector of Police [SB], HQR, Agartala; and [iii] Sri Sushil Debbarma, Assistant Inspector of Police [SB]. He has further stated that no form of coercion of any form of force was used/employed upon the said two surrendered NLFT cadres during the course of interrogation. S.W.23 has stated that the two surrendered NLFT extremists had voluntarily and in sound mind, stated various aspects relating to the NLFT and the ATTF, which were duly noted by the persons who were present with them at the time of interrogation and subsequently, interrogation reports have been prepared by duly and correctly recording the statements of the two surrendered NLFT cadres. He has deposed that the said interrogation reports have been exhibited as Ext.-20. The evidence-on-affidavit of S.W.23 is marked as Ext.- S.W.23-A and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.23-A[1], S.W.23-A[2] and S.W.23-A[3]. 48. S.W.24, Sri Suro Kumar Debbarma has stated that he has been serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, Tripura Police Crime Branch at Agartala at the time of tendering his evidence. S.W.24 has deposed to the effect that he has been authorised by the Government of Tripura in the Department of Home Affairs to affirm and swear the affidavit on behalf of the Government of Tripura. He has testified that the copy of the FIR of Champahawar Police Station Case no. 30/2020, exhibited by the witness - S.W.1, was supplied by him to S.W.1 after certifying the same by him. It has been deposed by him that he compared the copy with the original records available with the Department and had thereafter, certified the same as true copy by subscribing his signature and seal on the same. He has also testified that the copy of the FIR of Damcherra Police Station Case no. 12/2020, exhibited by the witness - S.W.3, was supplied by him to S.W.5 after certifying the same by him. It has been deposed by him that he compared the copy with the original records available with the Department and had thereafter, certified the same as true copy by subscribing his signature and seal on the same. It has also been deposed by him that the copy of the FIR of Ananda Bazar Police Station Case no. 06/2021, exhibited by the witness - S.W.4, was furnished by him to S.W.4 after giving certification as a true copy by him. S.W.24 has stated that he compared the copy with the original records available with the Department and had thereafter, gave the certificate as true copy by subscribing his signature and seal on Ext.-3. S.W.24 has also testified that the copy of the FIR of Ananda Bazar Police Station Case no. 09/2020, exhibited by the witness - S.W.6 as Ext.-5, was furnished to S.W.24 by him after certifying the same as a true copy. It has been deposed by him that he compared the copy with the original records available with the Department and had thereafter, certified the same as true copy by subscribing his signature and seal on Ext.-5. S.W.24 has deposed also in similar manner as regards the Constitution of the NLFT, that is, Ext.-7B, exhibited by the witness – S.W.9, and the FIR of Taidu Police Station Case no. 06/2020, exhibited by the witness – S.W.10 as Ext.-8. The evidence on affidavit of S.W.24 is marked as Ext.-S.W.24-A and his signatures therein are marked as S.W.24-A[1], S.W.24-A[2], S.W.24- A[3], S.W.24-A[4] and S.W.24-A[5]. 49. S.W.25, Sri Abhimanyu R. Prasad has stated that he has been serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Gomati District, Tripura at the time of his deposition. S.W.25 has deposed to the effect that he has been authorised by the Government of Tripura in the Department of Home Affairs to affirm and swear the affidavit on behalf of the Government of Tripura. He has testified that the copies of the FIR of Taidu Police Station Case no. 06/2020; the extract of Taidu Police Station General Diary Entry no. 28; the statements of the witnesses recorded under Section 161, CrPC; and the Charge-Sheet no. 03/2021; collectively exhibited and marked as Ext.-8 by the witness - S.W.10, were furnished by him to S.W.10 after certifying the same by him. It has been deposed by him that he compared the copy with the original records available with the Department and had thereafter, certified the same as true copy by subscribing his signature and seal on the same. 50. S.W.26, Sri Nor Bahadur Reang has stated that he has been serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sepahijhala District, Tripura at the time of his deposition. S.W.26 has deposed to the effect that he has been authorised by the Government of Tripura in the Department of Home Affairs to affirm and swear the affidavit on behalf of the Government of Tripura. He has testified that the copies of the FIR of Takarjala Police Station Case no. 02/2021; and the statements of the witnesses recorded under Section 161, CrPC; collectively exhibited and marked as Ext.-7A by the witness - S.W.9, were furnished by him to S.W.9 after certifying the same by him. It has been deposed by him that before certifying as a true copy, he compared the copies with the original records available with the Department and it was after such comparison, he certified the same as true copies by subscribing his signatures and seals on the same. 51. The Central Government has tendered its evidence through Sri R.K. Pandey, Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, North Block, New Delhi as C.W.1. In his evidence-on-affidavit, C.W.1 has mentioned about the materials in the official records which were considered by the Central Government. He has stated that since 03.11.2018 till February, 2023, a total of 36 cases under the UA[P] Act, 1967 have been registered and a total of 87 persons have been arrested in these registered cases along with recovery of arms and ammunitions. Charge sheets have been filed in 16 out of 36 cases. He has deposed that during the period from the last notification under Section 3[1] of the UA[P] Act, 1967, various factions of the NLFT were responsible for three violent incidents, killing of three security personnel and kidnapping of three persons. Four cases of arms recovery, surrender of 56 arms and surrender of 144 extremists have also taken place during the period. He has further deposed that the NLFT and the ATTF have been working in close nexus with other insurgent organisations from the North-East having their bases in Bangladesh. Three BSF personnel were killed in the years : 2021 – 2022 in North Tripura and Dhalai districts of Tripura in targeted attacks. He has annexed a Letter bearing no. F.21[20]-BD/2022/951 dated 11.04.2023 of the Home Department, Government of Tripura, addressed to the Ministry of Home Affairs, NE Division-II, Government of India[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 23 as Annexure-I, which contained the Brief Note of the Government of Tripura giving detail activities of the outfits including cases registered, nos. of charge sheets filed, activities of both groups, etc. as its justification for extension of the notification for declaring the NLFT and the ATTF as unlawful associations. He has also annexed the Notification bearing no. S.O. 4292[E] dated 03.10.2023, published in the Gazette of India in its issue dated 03.10.2023, as Annexure-II. The evidence-on-affidavit of C.W.1 is marked as C.W.1-A and his signatures therein are marked as C.W.1-A[1], C.W.1-A[2], C.W.1-A[3], C.W.1-A[4], C.W.1-A[5], C.W.1-A[6], C.W.1-A[7] and C.W.1-A[8]. 52. When the Tribunal held one of its sittings on 12.03.2024, the learned Special Counsel, Union of India had sought for an opportunity of three days to produce documents on behalf of the Union of India and the Tribunal had accordingly, scheduled its next sitting at 03-00 p.m. on 15.03.2024. During the proceeding of the Tribunal on 15.03.2024, Sri A.K. Dhyani, Director, NE Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India had appeared in person and had placed a sealed cover containing materials which stated to have formed the basis for issuance of the Notification under Section 3 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 on 03.12.2023. As confidentiality was claimed in respect of the materials contained in the sealed cover, the same was ordered to be kept with the Registrar of the Tribunal and it was further observed that the same would be returned in sealed form to the learned Special Counsel, Union of India. After perusal of the materials contained in the sealed cover by the Director, NE Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, the envelope containing materials was handed over in sealed form by the Registrar of the Tribunal to the Special Counsel, Union of India on 16.03.2024. 53. Written submissions have been filed on behalf of the Central Government and the Government of Tripura, through the learned Special Counsel representing the Central Government and the learned State Counsel representing the State of Tripura respectively. 54. The two organisations, the NLFT and the ATTF along with all their factions, wings and front organisations as well as any person interested were given sufficient opportunities to represent their cases before the Tribunal in respect of the Notification dated 03.10.2023 issued under Section 3[1] of the UA[P] Act, 1967. Despite affording sufficient opportunities, no one appeared on behalf of the two organisations, the NLFT and the ATTF in any of the proceedings of the Tribunal till 15.03.2024. No public person also appeared to state in the matter of issuance of the Notification dated 03.10.2023. As a result, the witnesses, S.W.1 to S.W.26 have not been cross-examined by anyone. The two organisations, the NLFT and the ATTF in respect of whom the Notification dated 03.10.2023 was issued declaring them to be unlawful associations have, thus, remained unrepresented during the proceedings before the Tribunal. 55. The Central Government and the Government of Tripura have produced materials in the form of documentary evidence, through their witnesses. The sources from which the documents have been collected for production before the Tribunal have also been indicated in the testimonies of the witnesses. There was no request from any quarter for inspection of the documentary exhibits, presented before the Tribunal on behalf of the Central Government and the Government of Tripura. 56. The Tribunal has gone through the entire materials produced by the Union of India and the Government of Tripura before the Tribunal including the depositions of the witnesses, S.W.1 to S.W.26. The Tribunal has also perused the documentary exhibits submitted along with the depositions of the witnesses and the written submissions filed on behalf of the Union of India and the State of Tripura. The Tribunal has duly considered the provisions of the UA[P] Act, 1967. 57. The State of Tripura have advanced the following justifications to declare the NLFT and the ATTF as unlawful associations also under the UA[P] Act, 1967 when both the said organisations are already declared as ‘Terrorist Organisations’ in the First Schedule of the UA[P] Act, 1967 :- 57.1. The activities of the NLFT in the State of Tripura :- The NLFT, a major extremists outfit of Tripura, once unleashed a reign of terror by indulging in secessionist and disruptive activities in the State of Tripura over a period of more than two decades to destabilise democratically constituted Government and to liberate Tripura from the Indian Union through armed struggle. The group though has come down in strength, still continues to operate from the soil of the neighbouring country, Bangladesh with active supports from anti-Indian forces. Though there has been perceptible improvement in containing the level of violence by the NLFT insurgents, but there is no indication that the outfit will eschew the path of violence in near future. On the contrary, the outfit seems to have multi-dimensional strategy and joined hands with other North-East militants and enemy forces to revive the insurgency in full scale. The inputs indicate that the group is still maintaining a strength of around 35 cadres. The outfit is having around 20/25 sophisticated weapons like AK Rifles, AK-47, SLR, INSAS, Rocket launcher, Pistol, explosives materials and some ammunitions, etc. There are 06 [six] camps/hideouts of the outfit in Bangladesh which are Khagrapur camp [Safe House] at Khagrapur District, Shilchari Camp [Boat Command, Transit facility] at Rangamati District, Kachutali [Ujanchari] Camp [Base camp] at Rangamati District, Sangkhachari camp [new Transit camp] at Rangamati District, Blai Twisa Matiranga Forest at Matiranga District and Jupui Camp at Rangamati District.24 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] The group members are deliberately recruiting innocent tribal youths with false promises and taking them to Bangladesh for imparting training with intent to accelerate their armed struggle. During the period from 2018 to 2022, as many as 15-20 youths were newly recruited in the group. On a number of occasions, the security forces have succeeded to thwart recruitment drive of the outfit. On a number of occasions, the group had served tax notices to the villagers of bordering population for payment of taxes to the so called NLFT Government. In a few cases, bordering population has been compelled to follow their diktat too. Wherever the villagers had defied their diktat, the group had targeted the villagers and community leaders. To further terrorise the villagers, they had abducted the innocent people and realised huge ransom. During the period from 2018 to 2022, as many as four innocent civilians were abducted for ransom and three of them were released later on. One of them was killed after extorting hefty hansom. In all the cases of abduction, the group members with heavy fire arms had sneaked into the State and took the victims hostages in their hideouts in Bangladesh. The abduction spree was not only confined within the boundary of the State of Tripura, the neighbouring State, Mizoram is also equally affected by the activities of the outfit. As per information available, civilians including construction workers engaged in developmental works were abducted from the soil of Mizoram for ransom. The NLFT extremists have not only targeted the innocent civilians, workers engaged in developmental works are also equally targeted by these anti-National forces. They have abducted the workers of the developmental agencies on a number of times for ransom. The developmental agencies are under constant threat of the outfit. Due to constant threat of the outfit, developmental works are also seriously affected in the areas of influence of the outfit. The group has also orchestrated deliberate attacks upon the security forces on a number of times with a view to establish their supremacy. During the period 2018 to 2022, thee BSF jawans were killed and weapons were snatched away in two separate cases. Intelligence inputs also indicate that the outfit is trying to consolidate its strength by taking advantage of the political turmoil in the neighbouring Bangladesh. The outfit has struck a deal with the forces inimical to Indo-Bangladesh friendship tie and they are determined to work together with an objective to create unrest in Bangladesh as well as to disintegrate India. It is expected that violent activities of the outfit will further rise if there is change in the political climate in neighbouring country Bangladesh. In view of the fact that the infrastructure of NLFT extremists have remained intact beside holding of weapons and explosives, supported by anti-Indian forces in Bangladesh and also the nature of violence being perpetrated against the innocent people of the State, there is persistent reason to believe that the activities of the outfit will pose greater degree of threat in future. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the activities of the outfit under check for the interest of safety and security of the people and also for the maintenance of public order and integrity of the country as a whole. 57.2. The activities of the ATTF in the State of Tripura :- The other major extremist outfit, ATTF has been found almost inactive inside the State of Tripura and in Bangladesh. Presently, the outfit maintains a strength of 4-5 cadres and all have taken refuse in Bangladesh. At one point of time, the ATTF was holding huge quantity of sophisticated fire arms like AK-Series Rifles, SLR, LMG, Rocket launcher, M-20 pistol etc. But some of the arms were looted by the NLFT and some arms were seized by Bangladesh Army, as revealed. Even then, the outfit is still in possession of large quantity of weapons. The outfit has suffered temporary setback after arrest of its self-styled president, Ranjit Debbarma. On release from jail, Ranjit Debbarma is now working for a particular political entity in the State. The outfit has connection with various North-East insurgent groups like NSCN[K] of Nagaland and KLO of West Bengal. The outfit has conscientiously unleashed a reign of terror and indulged in secessionist and disruptive activities in the soil of Tripura over a period of more than two decades in order to overthrow democratically constituted Government and liberate Tripura from the Indian Union through armed struggle. The outfit had also indulged in large scale killing of innocent civilians and was responsible for inciting communal clash with a view to achieving so called freedom through armed struggle. Though there has not been any movement or activities of the outfit inside the State in recent times, but it has the propensity and capability to revive the insurgency in the event of change of political climate in the State. In view of the fact that the outfit is maintaining its weapons holding in Bangladesh as well as its network with other Indian insurgent outfits and anti-Indian forces in Bangladesh, there is a real threat of ATTF reviving its activities in future if the political climate in Bangladesh and Tripura becomes favourable. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the activities of its cadres under constant watch and check till the weapons holding of the outfit comes down substantially. 58. ‘Association’, as per Section 2[1][a] of the UA[P] Act, 1967, means any combination or body of individuals. As per Section 2[1][o] of the UA[P] Act, 1967, ‘unlawful activity’, in relation to an individual or association, means any action taken by such individual or association [whether by committing an act or by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representation or otherwise], - [i] which is intended, or supports any claim, to bring about, on any ground whatsoever, the cession of a part of the territory of India or the secession of a part of the territory of India from the Union, or which incites any individual or group of individuals to bring about such cession or secession; [ii] which disclaims, questions, disrupts or is intended to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India; or [iii] which causes or is intended to cause disaffection against India. ‘Unlawful Association’ has been defined[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 25 in Section 2[1][p] of the UA[P] Act, 1967 and it means any association, - [i] which has for its object any unlawful activity, or which encourages or aids persons to undertake any unlawful activity, or of which the members undertake such activity; or [ii] which has for its object any activity which is punishable under Section 153A or Section 153B of the Indian Penal Code [45 of 1860], or which encourages or aids person to undertake any such activity, or of which the members undertake any such activity; provided that nothing contained in sub-clause [ii] shall apply to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. 59. It has been observed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Jamaat-E-Islami Hind vs. Union of India, reported in [1995] 1 SCC 428, that an ‘unlawful activity’, defined in the UA[P] Act, 1967, means ‘any action taken’ of the kinds specified therein and having the consequence mentioned. It has been observed to the effect that the definitions of ‘unlawful activity’ and ‘unlawful association’, as provided in the UA[P] Act, 1967, make it evident that the determination of the question whether any association is, or has become, an unlawful association to justify a declaration under Section 3[1] thereof should be that ‘any action taken’, by such association constitutes an ‘unlawful activity’ which is the object of the association or the object is any activity punishable under Section 153A or Section 153B of the Indian Penal Code [IPC]. A declaration as regards an association under Section 3[1] as ‘unlawful association’ has to be based on an objective determination of the matter by the Central Government. Section 4 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 requires confirmation of the act of the Central Government by the Tribunal. The purpose of making the reference to the Tribunal under Section 4[1] is an adjudication by the Tribunal of the existence of sufficient cause for making the declaration. The nature of inquiry contemplated by the Tribunal under Section 4[3] requires it to weigh the material on which the Notification under Section 3[1] has been issued by the Central Government; the cause shown by the association which has been declared as an unlawful association, in reply to the notice issued to it; and to take into consideration such further information which it may call for; to decide the existence of sufficient cause for declaring the association to be unlawful. The entire procedure contemplates an objectives determination made on the basis of materials placed before the Tribunal by the two sides; and the inquiry is in the nature of adjudication of a lis between two parties, the outcome of which depends on the weight of the materials produced by them. Credibility of the materials should, ordinarily, be capable of objective assessment. The decision to be made by the Tribunal is ‘whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the association unlawful’. Such a determination requires the Tribunal to reach the conclusion that the materials to support the declaration outweighs the materials against it and the additional weight to support the declaration is sufficient to sustain it. The test of greater probability appears to be the pragmatic test applicable in the context. 60. From the Constitution of the National Liberation Front of Twipra [NLFT], it is noticed that the organisation was established in 1989. In its Preface, it is mentioned that Twipra State was ruled by as many as hundred and eighty four kings of the indigenous Borok people of the State since the time immemorial which means that Twipra was a princely, independent and peaceful State and had a self-rule, reliancy and possessed a glorious history prior to its occupation forcefully by the subjugation policy of imperialist Hindustan [India] on October 15, 1949. It is mentioned therein that from that period with the dawn of India’s independence the sunset has begun on the glorious independent State of Twipra. The indigenous people known as Boroks have been completely marginalized by the continuing influx of immigration of foreign nationals and the indigenous people are being exploited, oppressed and suppressed socio- politically and economically and are facing from identity crisis due to menacing chauvinism and imperialism of the so-called Aryan descendants of Hindustan [India]. As regards the aims and objectives of the NLFT, it is mentioned that the immediate object of the organisation is to overthrow imperialism, capitalism and neo-colonialism from the country with armed struggles for distinct and independent identity of the Borok civilization of Twipra. Another aim and objective is to liberate the Borokland Twipra for complete freedom and transform it into a people’s republican government. The Constitution has mentioned that the organisation is set-up with a view to free the Borok nation from socio-politico and economic exploitation, oppression, suppression and neo-colonization. Its another objective is to improve channel of communication for national liberation in alliance with other armed revolutionary organisations. 61. In the Constitution of the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATT], it is mentioned that the main object of the Force, that is, the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] is to utilize all its strength for armed struggles without any compromise. As per the Constitution, the Force will fight against all sorts of torture, oppression, etc. and it will fight for fulfillment and application of all sorts of decisions accepted by the Indian Parliament. The Force will not accept any sort of amendment in the Constitution which goes against the interest of the main tribal stream of Tripura. The ATTF Constitution has further mentioned that the seven sister States of the North-East namely, Tripura, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya will form a separate country and for this, the Force will support all sorts of movement and will utilize their own force for the purpose. The Force will fight without any compromise for the existence of tribals’ own culture against distorted culture. 62. The Constitutions of the two organisations, that is, the NLFT and the ATTF have mentioned that one of their main objectives is separation from the Indian Union through armed struggles. It is mentioned in Section 2[1][i] of the UA[P] Act, 1967 that ‘secession of a part of the territory of India from the Union’ includes the assertion of any claim to determine whether such part will remain a part of the territory of India. It is, thus, evident that such claim for secession, as incorporated in the Constitutions of the two organisations, comes within the scope and ambit of26 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] ‘unlawful activity’, if the two organisations are found to have taken any action towards it, whether by committing an act or by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representation or otherwise. 63. The documentary exhibits produced before the Tribunal have shown that 35 nos. of cases were/are registered against the two organisations during the period from 03.10.2018 to 31.01.2023. The cases registered during the said period are :- [1] Mandai [MDI] Police Station Case no. 2019 MDI 012, dated 24.08.2019, under Sections 386/120B/121/121A/506, IPC; [2] Takarjala [TKJ] Police Station Case no. 2019 TKJ 019, dated 13.07.2019, under Sections 384/511/506/120B/34, IPC and Sections 10/13/18 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [3] Radhapur [RDP] Police Station Case no. 2020 RDP 003, dated 26.02.2020, under Sections 120B/121A/122/124A/384/506, IPC and Section 3 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 and Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959; [4] Jampuijala [JPJ] Police Station Case no. 2020 JPJ 003, dated 26.02.2020, under Sections 120B/121A/122/124A/384/506, IPC r/w Sections 10/11/13/18 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [5] Taidu [TDU] Police Station Case no. 2020 TDU 006, dated 20.03.2020, under Sections 120B/121A/122/124A/384/506, IPC and Sections 10/11/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 and Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959; [6] Birganj [BRG] Police Station Case no. 2020 BRG 057, dated 01.11.2020, under Sections 120B/121A/384, IPC and Sections 10/11/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [7] Panisagar [PNS] Police Station Case no. 01/2020 dated 01.01.2020, under Sections 120B/121A/153A/384/511, IPC and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 and Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959; [8] Damcherra [DMC] Police Station Case no. 12/2020, dated 18.11.2020, under Sections 457/364A/384/506/34, IPC and Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959 and added Sections 302/201/120B, IPC and Sections 13/18 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [9] Champahawar [CPH] Police Station Case no. 10/2020, dated 06.03.2020, under Sections 120B/121A/124A/384, IPC and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [10] Champahawar [CPH] Police Station Case no. 30/2020, dated 05.07.2020, under Sections 120B/121/121A/124A/386/506, IPC and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [11] Mungiakami [MGK] Police Station Case no. 18/2020, dated 18.07.2020, under Sections 384/120B/127/121A/506/34, IPC and Section 25A of the Arms Act, 1959 and Sections 10/11/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [12] Khowai [KHW] Police Station Case no.122/2020, dated 01.10.2020, under Sections 120B/121A/124A/384, IPC and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [13] Raishyabari [RSB] Police Station Case no. 2020 RSB 004, dated 22.07.2020, under Sections 120B/121/124A/386/506, IPC and Sections 10/13/17 of the UA[P] Act 1967; [14] Raishyabari [RSB] Police Station Case no. 2020 RSB 009, dated 27.12.2020, under Sections 120B/121/124A/387, IPC and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act 1967; [15] Chawmanu [RSB] Police Station Case no. 2020 RSB 021, dated 27.12.2020, under Sections 120B/121/124A/387/506, IPC and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act 1967; [16] Chawmanu [RSB] Police Station Case no. 2020 RSB 020, dated 19.12.2020, under Sections 10/18B/20/38/39 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 r/w Section 120B, IPC; [17] Ganganagar Police Station Case no. 2020 GNR 004, dated 07.12.2020, under Sections 364A/120B, IPC and Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959 and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [18] Takarjala [TKJ] Police Station Case no. 2021 TKJ 002, dated 12.01.2021, under Section 25[1-B]/28 of the Arms Act, 1959 and Sections 10/13/17/18 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 r/w Section 120B, IPC; [19] Takarjala [TKJ] Police Station Case no. 2021 TKJ 004, dated 07.02.2021, under Section 120B/384/506, IPC and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [20] Khedacherra [KDC] Police Station Case no. 01/2021, dated 12.03.2021, under Sections 120B/386/506/34, IPC and Sections 10/13/18 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [21] Ananda Bazar [ABR] Police Station Case no. 04/2021, dated 04.07.2021, under Sections 341/363/386/417/420/34, IPC and Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959 and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [22] Ananda Bazar [ABR] Police Station Case no. 06/2021, dated 13.07.2021, under Sections 341/363/386/417/420/34, IPC and Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959 and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [23] Gandacherra [GNC] Police Station Case no. 2021 GNC 001, dated 03.01.2021, under Sections 120B/121/124A/387, IPC and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [24] Ganganagar [GNR] Police Station Case no. 2021 GNR 001, dated 15.05.2021, under Sections 121/124B/386,/506, IPC and Sections 10/13/17/18/18B/38/39 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [25] Damcherra [DMC] Police Station Case no. 2021 DMC 002, dated 23.07.2021, under Sections 120B/124/A, IPC and Sections 10/13/17/18/21/38/39 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [26] Manikpur [MNP] Police Station Case no. 2021 MNP 002, dated 03.08.2021, under Sections 148/149/302/121/124/120B, IPC and Section 382B of the Criminal Law [Tripura Amendment] Act, 2018 and Sections 25/27 of the Arms Act, 1959 and Section 3 of the Passport [Entry into India] Act, 1920 and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [27] Gandacherra [GNC] Police Station Case no. 2021 GNC 036, dated 19.11.2021, under Sections 120B/121/121A/386, IPC and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 and Section 3 of the Passport [Entry into India] Act, 1920 and added Sections 16/17/18/18B/19 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [28] New Capital Complex [NCC] Police Station Case no. 2022 NCC 089, dated 29.06.2022, under Sections 448/386/34, IPC and Section 10/13/17/18/20 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [29] Jampuijala [JPJ] Police Station Case no. 2022 JPJ 013, dated 31.12.2022, under Sections 120B/384/506, IPC r/w Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959 and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [30] Natun Bazar [NTB] Police Station Case no. 2022 NTB 037, dated 20.10.2022, under Sections 506/387/120B, IPC and Sections 10/13/18 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [31] Ananda Bazar [ABR] Police Station Case no. 09/2022, dated 19.08.2022, under Sections 148/149/120B/302/121, IPC and Sections 25/27 of the Arms Act, 1959 and Sections 10/13/18 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [32] Gandacherra [GNC] Police Station Case no. 2022 GNC 0037, dated 26.10.2022, under Sections 120B/121A/384, IPC and Sections 10/11/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [33] Gandacherra [GNC] Police Station Case no. 2022 GNC 0045, dated 27.12.2022, under Sections 120B/121A/384, IPC and Sections 10/11/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; [34] Gandacherra [GNC] Police Station Case no. 2022 GNC 0046, dated 27.12.2022, under Sections 120B/121A/384, IPC and Sections 10/11/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967; and [35] Gandacherra [GNC] Police Station Case no. 2023 GNC 001, dated 02.01.2023, under Sections 120B/121A/384, IPC[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 27 and Sections 10/11/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. Reference of the afore-mentioned cases are found mentioned in the Brief Note and other materials produced before the Tribunal on behalf of the Central Government and the Government of Tripura. 64. On completion of investigation in connection with Mandai [MDI] Police Station Case no. 2019 MDI 012, it had resulted into a final report being FR[T] no. 05/2021 dated 15.11.2021. The case, Takarjala [TKJ] Police Station Case no.2019 TKJ 019, had resulted into a charge sheet being Charge Sheet no. 15/2020 dated 29.10.2020, under Sections 384/511/506/120B, IPC. The charge sheet under Section 173, CrPC in connection with Taidu [TDU] Police Station Case no. 2020 TDU 006, stood submitted vide Charge Sheet no. 03/2021, dated 29.03.2021, under Sections 120B/121A/122/124A/384/506, IPC and Sections 10/11/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 and Sections 25[1-B]/27 of the Arms Act, 1959. The charge sheet under Section 173, CrPC in connection with Birganj [BRG] Police Station Case no. 2020 BRG 057, stood submitted vide Charge Sheet no. 70/2020 dated 10.12.2020, under Sections 120B/121A/384, IPC and Sections 10/11/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. In connection with Panisagar [PNS] Police Station Case no. 01/2020, the charge sheet was submitted vide Charge Sheet no. 41/2022 dated 23.09.2022 under Sections 120B/121A/124A/153A/384/511, IPC r/w Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. After completing investigation in connection with Damcherra [DMC] Police Station Case no. 12/2020, the Investigating Officer [I.O.] of the case submitted a charge sheet vide Charge Sheet no. 04/2021 dated 21.02.2021 under Sections 457/364A/384/506/302/201/120B/34, IPC. The case, Champahawar [CPH] Police Station Case no. 10/2020 had ended in a final report. The charge sheet under Section 173, CrPC in connection with Champahawar [CPH] Police Station Case no. 30/2020, stood submitted vide Charge Sheet no. 28/2021 dated 30.09.2021 under Sections 120B/121/121A/124A/386/506, IPC and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. In the case, Mungiakami [MGK] Police Station Case no. 18/2020, the charge sheet was submitted vide Charge Sheet no. 35/2022 dated 31.07.2022 under Sections 386/120B/506/34, IPC. On completion of investigation in connection with Khowai [KHW] Police Station Case no. 122/2020, a final report was submitted. A charge sheet under Section 173, CrPC in connection with Raishyabari [RSB] Police Station Case no. 2020 RSB 004 had been submitted vide Charge Sheet no. 01/2022 dated 25.01.2022, under Sections 120B/121/124A/386/506, IPC and Sections 10/13/17 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. In connection with Raishyabari [RSB] Police Station Case no. 2020 RSB 009, the I.O. has submitted a charge sheet being Charge Sheet no. 06/2021 dated 30.09.2021, under Sections 120B/121/124A/387, IPC. In the case, Chawmanu Police Station Case no. 2020 RSB 021, the charge sheet was submitted vide Charge Sheet no. 23/2021 dated 28.10.2021 under Sections 120B/121/124A/387/506, IPC and Sections 10/13 of the UA[P] Act 1967. As regards the case, Takarjala [TKJ] Police Station Case no. 2021 TKJ 002, dated 12.01.2021, registered for offences under Section 25[1-B]/28 of the Arms Act, 1959 and Sections 10/13/17/18 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 r/w Section 120B, IPC, it is pending for sanction order from the Home Department. In connection with Takarjala [TKJ] Police Station Case no. 2021 TKJ 004, a charge sheet was submitted vide Charge Sheet no. 06/2021 dated 30.06.2021 under Sections 120B/384/506/34, IPC. A charge sheet under Section 173, CrPC being Charge Sheet no. 02/2021 dated 09.06.2021 under Sections 120B/386/506/34, IPC had been submitted after completion of investigation in connection with Khedacherra [KDC] Police Station Case no. 01/2021. After completion of investigation in connection with Gandacherra [GNC] Police Station Case no. 2021 GNC 001, the charge sheet was submitted vide Charge Sheet no. 11/2022 dated 13.03.2022 under Sections 120B/378/506/34, IPC. The materials brought on record indicate that the investigations of the other cases, referred to in the preceding paragraph, are still in progress. In respect of those cases where charge sheets have been submitted, it has been stated that they are at the stage of trial. 65. From an analysis of the materials produced before the Tribunal, it is discernible that the cases involved offences under the Arms Act, 1959 and the UA[P] Act, 1967, apart from the offences of murder, kidnapping, extortion, waging or attempting to a wage war or abetting waging of war against the Government of India, conspiracy to wage or attempting to wage war, collection of arms with intention of waging war, sedition, criminal intimidation, as defined in the Indian Penal Code. 66. From the contents of the FIR dated 19.08.2022, lodged in connection with Ananda Bazar Police Station Case no. 09/2020, it is seen that the said FIR was lodged by the Coy Commander, B Coy, BOP Simna-II, BSF stating about an incident of attack by an extremists group at a team of Border Security Force [BSF] personnel. As regards the incident, it was stated that at about 08-50 hours on 19.08.2022, one BSF ADP party led by the said Coy Commander was patrolling near the India Bangladesh border. The said BSF ADP party was fired upon by an extremists group belonging to the NLFT[BM] at IBBF Picket no. 459-460 between BP no. 2296/MP and BP no. 2297/MP in AOR [Area of Responsibility] of Border Out Post [BOP] Simna-II, 145 Bn BSF. The attack was by burst fire from AK series weapons from the extremists group’s side from across Bangladesh. In the said attack, the guide of the BSF ADP party, one Head Constable sustained injuries and his rifle was damaged. There was effective retaliatory fire from the BSF ADP party. But, the extremists group taking advantage of the terrain, escaped to Bangladesh. The Head Constable who sustained injuries, was evacuated to Agartala but he succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead by the doctors when he was taken to a hospital at Agartala. In the FIR, it was mentioned that the inhabitants of the nearby two villages had aided the extremists group. The informant had identified and disclosed the names of seven nos. of cadres of the NLFT[BM]. From the materials produced in connection with Ananda Bazar Police Station Case no. 09/2022, it is noticed that the injured Head Constable was evacuated to Agartala by a BSF Helicopter from Khanthlang BOP. In the course of investigation, six nos. EFC of AK series fired by the extremists group and one no.28 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] AK-47 black colour, without magazine, body cover, torn due to bullet fire, were recovered and seized from the place of occurrence. In addition, twelve nos. empty cartridges 5.56, KF-19 of Insas Rifle and two nos. of empty cartridges 9 mm EFC KF-20, fired from the BSF ADP party side, were also seized and recovered. 66.1. An incident of ambush at a BSF patrolling/fench checking party is the subject-matter of investigation in Manikpur Police Station Case no. 02/2021. From the materials placed in connection with Manikpur Police Station Case no. 02/2021, it is found that the incident occurred at about 05-30 hours on 03.08.2021 when one BSF patrolling/fench checking party consisting of 10 [ten] personnel left BOP RC Nath to carry out patrolling/fench checking duties in the AOR of BOP RC Nath, 64 Bn BSF. The personnel from the patrolling/fench checking party were checking fenches. At that point of time, they were ambushed by 10-12 heavily armed insurgents by taking positions next to a box culvert and there was firing in heavy volume upon the patrolling/fench checking party. Though personnel from the patrolling/fench checking party retaliated, two personnel were, however, fatally injured and succumbed to their injuries on the spot. The extremists group took away the weapons from the two killed BSF personnel, that is, one 9 mm Beretta along with 9 magazines and 32 rounds and one 7.62 mm AK-47 Rifle along with 2 magazines and 60 rounds of ammunitions. Though due to retaliatory fire from the BSF patrolling/fench checking party some members of the extremists group sustained injuries, they had, however, managed to carry their injured cadres to Bangladesh side by traversing the distance through the opening they had treated in the improvised bamboo blockade erected by the BSF Coy and pools of blood were found in the escape route of the extremists group suggesting grievous injuries also in their side. About 22 [twenty-two] empty cartridges were found in scattered conditions at 3 [three] separate ambush points and 7 [seven] empty cartridges were found in scattered conditions besides the deadbodies of the two BSF personnel. The materials indicate that intelligence inputs were received about making of frequent rounds by the suspected members of the extremists group in the adjacent areas of BOP RC Nath at odd hours from few days prior to the ambush. The materials further indicate that at around 03-05 hours on 08.12.2021, one BSF patrolling party from BOP RC Nath was performing area domination patrolling duty in their AOR [Area of Responsibility] and during the course of such duty, four persons were apprehended. When they were interrogated, it was admitted by them that they were active members of the NLFT and one of them had confessed that he was involved in the ambush incident on the BSF ADP patrolling/fench checking party on 03.08.2021 and snatching away of the rifles from the two killed BSF personnel. 67. From the materials produced before the Tribunal including the interrogation reports, it is found that the cadres of the two organisations carry out their activities also in the neighbouring nation, Bangladesh. The materials indicate that to carry out their subversive activities, the cadres of the two organisations cross the border often. In order to carry out their subversive activities espousing their policy of secession from the Indian Union and to finance such activities, the cadres of the two organisations have been continuously carrying out activities like abduction, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, etc. The cadres of the two organisations also resort to such activities to continue to their terror among the populace of the areas bordering India Bangladesh border. The materials have been produced to indicate that the two organisations are actively undertaking recruitment drives to induct more cadres into the organisations to strengthen its forces and to spread their bases. Materials on record have further indicated that the two organisations are maintaining camps and hideouts at several places in the neighbouring country and in those camps and hideouts, cadres are being trained to achieve the ultimate objective of secession through armed struggles. The materials produced before the Tribunal go to show that the two organisations and its cadres are maintaining relations with many other similar extremists organisations like Kangleipak Communist Party [KCP], Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup [KYKL], Kamtapur Liberation Organisation [KLO], United Liberation Front of Assam – Independent [ULFA(I)] National Socialist Council of Nagaland [IM] [NSCN-IM], Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council [HNLC], National Socialist Council of Nagaland [Khaplang] [NSCN-K], United People Democratic Front [UPDF] and Marma Liberation Party [MLP], etc. and collaborate with them for arms and ammunitions to carry out its objectives of armed struggles. It has been claimed that the organisations are also maintaining landed properties in the neighbouring nation. The leaders of the two organisations are making constant efforts to consolidate strength with the recruitment of new cadres and increasing its sympathizers’ base for their secessionist agenda of separation from the Union of India. The materials produced before the Tribunal also indicate that the two organisations have significant weapon holdings which prima facie pose a threat to the integrity and sovereignty of the Indian Union. 68. The materials produced before the Tribunal by the Central Government in sealed cover support the case of the Central Government. The contents of the materials produced in sealed cover are not disclosed as the Central Government has claimed confidentiality showing reasons. It can, however, be said that reports of various agencies involved in securing interests and for maintaining sovereignty of the country, on the basis of materials gathered by them, have suggested for continuation of these organisations’ status as unlawful associations beyond 02.10.2023, that is, beyond the tenure of the previous Notification under Section 3[1] of the UA[P] Act, 1967. Upon perusal of such materials, the Tribunal concurs with the view recorded therein. 69. Upon consideration of the materials produced before the Tribunal in its entirety, the Tribunal is of the view that though there has been lesser activities from the end of the organisation, ATTF during the period, the materials have indicated that the organisation has not dropped its secessionist agenda and has continued, through its cadres, the activities of recruiting new cadres to consolidate its strength, making efforts to raise protest against the Government of[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 29 India and the Government of Tripura, in maintaining close association and nexus with other extremists organisations of the North-East having similar secessionist agenda, etc. Sufficient materials have been placed before the Tribunal in respect of the organisation, the NLFT whose cadres are found involved in many incidents of encounters and ambushes, abduction, murder, kidnapping for ransom, recruitment drive, involving sympathizers, looting of arms and ammunitions from security forces, of extortion from businessmen, traders, etc. Both the organisations are maintaining camps and hideouts beyond the territory of India. All these activities are being carried out for the purpose of achieving the ultimate objectives of the two organisations incorporated in their respective Constitution, that is, secession of a part of the territory of India from the Union. Such disruptive and subversive activities and acts of terror and extremism fall within the scope and ambit of ‘unlawful activities’, as defined in Section 2[1][o] of the UA[P] Act, 1967. 70. In the absence of any materials against the declaration, the Tribunal on an objective assessment of the materials placed before the Tribunal on behalf of the Central Government and the Government of Tripura in support of the declaration, has reached a conclusion that the two associations during the period under consideration, have been engaging themselves in activities which are unlawful activities, which have the tendency to undermine the authority of the democratically elected Governments at the Centre and in the State and indulgence in such unlawful activities have reigned in fear and terror in the general populace, more particularly, the population of Tripura. Such unlawful activities pose a serious threat and are prejudicial to the security and integrity of the Nation, as the two organisations are found pursuing their secessionist agendas continuously. Hence, the Tribunal does not differ with the opinion of the Central Government that if there is no immediate curb and control of the NLFT and the ATTF they will take the opportunity to, - [i] mobilise their cadres for escalating their secessionist, subversive and violent activities; [ii] propagate anti-national activities in collusion with forces inimical to India’s sovereignty and national integrity; [iii] indulge in killings of civilians and targeting of the Police and Security Forces personnel; [iv] procure and induct illegal arms and ammunitions from across the international border; and [v] extort and collect huge funds from the public for their unlawful activities. 71. In view of the above discussion and for the reasons assigned therein, the Tribunal has decided the reference forwarded to it under sub-section [1] of Section 4 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 vide Letter bearing no. 11011/02/2023- NE.V dated 23.10.2023, with the confirmation that there is sufficient cause to declare the two organisations, that is, [i] the National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] along with all its factions, wings and front organisations; and [ii] the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] along with all its factions, wings and front organisations, as ‘unlawful associations’. Accordingly, the declaration made in the Notification bearing no. S.O. 4292[E] dated 03.10.2023 in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section [1] of Section 3 of the UA[P] Act, 1967 declaring [i] the National Liberation Front of Tripura [NLFT] along with all its factions, wings and front organisations; and [ii] the All Tripura Tiger Force [ATTF] along with all its factions, wings and front organisations, as ‘unlawful associations’ for a period of 5 [five] years with effect from 03.10.2023 is confirmed by this Tribunal under sub-section [3] of Section 4 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. 72. This Order of this Tribunal is to be published in the Official Gazette in terms of sub-section [4] of Section 4 of the UA[P] Act, 1967. JUSTICE MANISH CHOUDHURY, Presiding Officer Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.