Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (India) — LTTE ban

Summary

India's primary counter-terrorism statute as amended in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2019. The LTTE was designated an unlawful association under the UAPA in 1992 following the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and has been renewed every five years since. Section 10 criminalises membership; s.13 criminalises unlawful activity including soliciting support.

Relevance to the diaspora

Pro-Tamil Eelam sentiment in Tamil Nadu (India) is constrained by the LTTE ban; Tamil diaspora visitors to India and Tamil Nadu activists expressing support for Tamil self-determination risk detention under the UAPA's broad provisions, particularly s.39 (support for terrorist organisation).

Key provisions

• s.2(m) — definition of 'unlawful activity'
• s.3 — power to declare unlawful associations by Central Government notification
• s.10 — penalty for being member of unlawful association (2 years)
• s.38 — offence of association with a terrorist organisation
• s.39 — offence of support for terrorist organisation
• First Schedule — list of banned terrorist organisations including LTTE

Primary source

Related entries

• → Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010 (India) (IN)
• → Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1979 (Sri Lanka) (LK)