Oct 18 (Reuters) - A New Mexico judge has outlawed a militia group blamed for sparking violence at a 2020 anti-statue demonstration in the southwestern U.S. state where a protester was shot. The New Mexico Civil Guard (NMCG) was banned from operating as a military unit on grounds that only the state governor had the authority to activate a militia, District Court Judge Elaine Lujan ruled on Monday. During ensuing violence a counter-protester unaffiliated with the group shot and injured a man calling for removal of the statue. Bryce Provance, founder of the now disbanded NMCG, said the group tried to protect the community and prevent clashes. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting By Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico; Editing by Richard PullinOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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