Less than a month after it banned the socio-religious organisation Jamaat-e-Islami, the government of India Friday declared the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), led by Muhammad Yasin Malik, an “unlawful association” under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
According to a statement issued by the union ministry ofhome affairs, through the press information bureau (PIB), the centralgovernment took the decision “in its pursuit of strong action againstmilitancy”.
The central government has followed the “policy of zerotolerance” against militancy and has acted strongly against militants, the MHAstatement about the ban on JKLF said, adding that security forces have been”given a free hand” to deal with militancy.
“The (central) government is committed to relentlesslypursue the policy of curbing the activities of secessionist organisations whichare a threat to the unity and integrity of the country. The NIA and the Enforcement Directorate aretaking strong action against these organisations,” the statement said.
“In view of these objectives”, the MHA said, theJamaat-e-Islami, J&K, was on 28.02.2019 declared as an unlawful associationunder the provisions of section 3(1) of the unlawful activities (prevention)Act, 1967.
“It was made clear at that time that Jamaat-e-Islami(J&K) is separate from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. In 1953, it made its ownconstitution. JeI (J&K) is responsible for formation of Hizbul Mujahideen,the biggest militant organisation active in Jammu and Kashmir. JeI (J&K)has been providing all kind of support to HM in terms of recruits, funding,shelter, logistics, etc.,” the PIB handout read.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, union homesecretary announced that JKLF was banned “for a series of violent acts”, newsagency PTI reported.
Gauba announced the decision at a press conference after ameeting of the cabinet committee on security, which took the decision.
The MHA said the JKLF led by Muhammad Yasin Malik, who wasrecently booked under the Public Safety Act and shifted to a Jammu jail, has”spearheaded the separatist ideology in the Valley and has been at theforefront of separatist activities and violence since 1988″.
“Murders of Kashmiri Pandits by JKLF in 1989 triggered theirexodus from the Valley. Yasin Malik was the mastermind behind the purging ofKashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley and is responsible for theirgenocide,” the statement read, adding: “JKLF has many serious cases registeredagainst it. This organisation is responsible for murder of four Indian AirForce personnel and kidnapping of Dr Rubaiya Sayeed (daughter of the then homeminister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed in the VP Singh’s government). Thisorganisation, alongside, is also responsible for illegal funneling of funds forfomenting militancy”.
“JKLF is actively involved in raising of funds and itsdistribution to Hurriyat cadres and stone-pelters to fuel unrest in the KashmirValley, as well as for subversive activities,” the MHA alleged, adding that activitiesof JKLF (Y) “pose a serious threat to the security of the country and areprejudicial to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India”.
“The organisation has been actively and continuously encouraging feelings of enmity and hatred against the lawfully-established government as well as armed rebellion. 37 FIRs have been registered by the J&K police against JKLF. Two cases including the case of murder of IAF personnel were registered by the central bureau of investigation (CBI).
NIA has also registered a case, which is under investigation. It is evident from these that JKLF continues to be actively engaged in supporting and inciting secessionism and militancy including militant financing,” the MHA statement read.
“A large number of secessionist leaders were being provided security by the state government. The government, after review, has withdrawn the security of many such persons.
This process will continue further. The government has revitalised grassroots democracy in J&K by conducting elections peacefully for the first time in 2018 for urban local bodies after 2005 and for panchayats after 2011. There was active participation of the people in these elections and overall polling percentage was 74.”
“More than 3,652 sarpanchs and 23,629 panchs were elected in these elections. Panchayats have been empowered and made more accountable towards public.
Direct elections were held for sarpanchs. Financial powers of panchayats have been increased 10 times,” the statement read, adding: “About 20 departments have been brought under panchayati raj. The government is committed for integrated and coordinated development of all the three regions of the State—Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh”.