The Centre has banned separatist Yasin Malik's Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The outfit has been banned for alleged promotion of secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
They said the organisation has been banned under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Malik is currently under arrest and at present lodged in Jammu's Kot Balwal jail.
"Central government has today declared Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (Yasin Malik faction) as unlawful association under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. This is in accordance with policy of zero tolerance against terrorism followed by government," Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba said.
Gauba said that JKLF led by Malik has spearheaded the separatist ideology in the valley and it has been at the forefront of separatist activities & violence since 1988.
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba: 37 FIRs have been registered by Jammu and Kashmir Police against JKLF. Two cases including the case of murder IAF personnel were registered by CBI. National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also registered a case which is under investigation. https://t.co/fHVpvQsN4F
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2019
He said that the Jammu and Kashmir Police has registered 37 cases against JKLF. "Two cases including the case of murder IAF personnel were registered by CBI. National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also registered a case which is under investigation," Gauba said.
Central government bans Separatist Yasin Malik led Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front. pic.twitter.com/W9R2NrdOFj
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2019
This is the second organisation in Jammu and Kashmir which has been banned this month. Earlier, the Centre had banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir for five years under anti-terror law on grounds that it was ‘in close touch’ with terrorist outfits and was expected to ‘escalate secessionist movement’ in the state.
A notification, banning the group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs after a high-level meeting on security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.