NEW DELHI, Feb 15 � The North Eastern States including Assam have supported the Centre�s move to extend the ban on outlawed ULFA for another term.
An Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal on Tuesday heard the counsels for the four States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland and posted the matter for further hearing on March 3. Nagaland Government, which is yet to give its opinion on banning ULFA, has been directed to submit it by the next date of hearing.
The Tribunal headed by Justice Mukta Gupta heard the counsels for the North Eastern States and Government of India, before fixing the next date of hearing.
Notwithstanding the ongoing peace process with ULFA, the Union Government wants to continue with the classification of the outfit, as a �terrorist group� due to its �terrorist skills�, which poses a challenge to the security of Assam and other neighbouring States, the Tribunal has been told.
A major cause of concern for the Home Ministry, which is a party to the case, is the activities of self-styled commander-in-chief, Paresh Barua, who still heads the rival faction and has close links with foreign countries including China.
ULFA military chief, who has so far refused to come forward for negotiations with the Centre still runs camps in Myanmar and other areas.
Considering all the aspects, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had in last November decided to endorse the proposal to extend the ban on ULFA.
