After PSA on Yasin Malik, Centre bans JKLF

SRINAGAR — Barely a month after the Centre announced ban on Kashmir’s socio-religious organization — Jamaat-e-Islami, another order was issued on Friday with an announcement to ban the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front led by Muhammad Yasin Malik.

Malik was recently booked under Public Safety Act, and shifted to Kotbalwal Jail Jammu. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security, highlighting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party’s policy to curb ‘terror and groups instigating terror’ in the Kashmir valley.

“Central Government in its pursuit of strong action against terrorism has today declared JKLF (Yasin faction) as an unlawful association under the provisions of Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967,” the statement said.

“The Central Government has followed the policy of ‘Zero Tolerance’ against terrorism and has acted strongly against terrorists. Securities forces have been given free hand to deal with terrorism,” the Union home ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The move comes nearly a month after a major crackdown on separatists in the valley was launched on 24 February where 130 members of the Jamaat-e-Islami (Kashmir) and the Hurriyat Conference were arrested, including JKLF chief Yasin Malik and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr Abdul Hameed Fayaz besides dozens of JeI activists across Kashmir.

JeI headquarters in Batamaloo in Srinagar was also sealed by the police on the directions of Centre.

Earlier this month, the Union home ministry also banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir for a period of five years on grounds of the outfit being in “close touch” with militant outfits. The Jamaat-e-Islami was banned under anti-terror law as well with the Centre aiming to dial down ‘terror’ in the valley.

“JKLF has many serious cases registered against it. This organization is responsible for murder of four Indian Air Force personnel and kidnapping of Dr. Rubaiya Sayeed (daughter of the then Home Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed in Shri V. P. Singh’s Government),” the ministry added.

It said, “This organization, alongside, is also responsible for illegal funneling of funds for fomenting terrorism.”

“JKLF is actively involved in raising of funds and its distribution to Hurriyat cadres and stone-pelters to fuel unrest in the Kashmir valley as well as for subversive activities. Activities of JKLF (Y) pose a serious threat to the security of the country and are prejudicial to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India,” the statement said.