ULFA served show-cause notice by Centre

An official however said it was a routine show cause notice issued to the ULFA (and other such outfits) every year, on the basis of which the Tribunal passes an order, following which the ministry of home affairs decides on extending the ban order on the outfit.

The ULFA, which was formed in 1979, was declared unlawful by the government of India on November 27, 1990 under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (prevention) Act 1967. While many of its cadres have been killed and hundreds surrendered, a major section led by its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa came forward to hold peace talks with the government in 2011.

Rajkhowa, who was pushed back into India in December 2009 by Bangladesh following which he was arrested, was released in January 2011 after he expressed willingness to engage in peace talks with the government. Several other top ULFA leaders also joined him in the peace process which however has made little headway.

Its self-styled commander-in-chief Paresh Barua however has refused to join the peace talks with Rajkhowa and after declaring his faction as ULFA (Independent) in August 2011, vowed to continue the armed struggle for a sovereign state.