The Union Home Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday declared that it has banned two outfits, the Awami Action Committee (AAC) headed by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and the Jammu & Kashmir Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (JKIM) headed by Shia leader Masroor Abbas Ansari. The ban is under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Significantly, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, the head of AAC, enjoys the security protection by CRPF currently. Following proscription by the organization, it is to be seen that what would the Centre do regarding the security cover over him.
AAC members, says the MHA notification, were found supporting terrorism, perpetuating anti-India narratives, and raising funds for separatist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre accused the outfit of inciting violence, fanning anti-state mentality, and armed resistance against India.
The ministry detailed several criminal cases against the AAC and its leaders, citing charges of sedition, unlawful assembly, and incitement to violence. Cases have been registered in several Srinagar police stations, including Nowhatta, Safakadal, and Kothi Bagh, against Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and other AAC members for delivering speeches against the Indian government, advocating election boycotts, and inciting protests.
Apart from these, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against AAC spokesperson Aftab Ahmad Shah and others for alleged involvement in anti-national activities.
The administration claims that otherwise, the AAC would persistently finance militancy, threaten public order, and abet Jammu and Kashmir separatism. Relying on Section 3 of the UAPA, the administration imposed a five-year ban on the group and ruled that the restriction is warranted on grounds of security of the country.
This follows a broad-scale crackdown against parties charged with harboring separatist and militant groups in the province.
In another notification, the MHA declared that members of JKIM have actively aided terrorism, participated in anti-India propaganda, and collected funds to promote separatist and secessionist causes in Jammu and Kashmir. The government also blamed JKIM for instigating public unrest, promoting violence, and being against the constitutional order of India.
According to the ministry, in case JKIM's activities were not curtailed, the group will continue fostering anti-national feelings, challenge the integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India, and disturb public order. Based on these grounds, the government has banned JKIM for five years, under which Section 3 of the UAPA is effective immediately.
JKIM was founded by Molvi Abbas Ansari originally and is currently headed by his son, Masroor Abbas Ansari after his death. Likewise, the AAC was founded in 1963 by Mirwaiz Moulana Farooq during the agitation for the recovery of the holy relics. Following his assassination, his son, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, took over the organization.
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