The Government of India has extended the ban imposed on National Democratic Front of Bodoland, or NDFB, the Bodo militant group which seeks to obtain a sovereign Boroland for the Bodo people.

It is designated as a terrorist organisation by the Government of India. NDFB traces its origin to Bodo Security Force, a militant group formed in 1986.

The Union Home Ministry in a notification extended the ban on NDFB under the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The notification declaring the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) as an outlawed organization, intending to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India in furtherance of its objective of achieving a separate Bodoland, said Union Home Ministry.

Accordingly "in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (Act 37 of 1967), the central government hereby declares the NDFB, along with all its groups, factions and front organisations, as an unlawful association", the notification said.

The ban on NDFB comes with immediate effect and will last for five years, a home ministry official said.