The central government on Saturday extended a ban on Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front led by jailed Mohammad Yasin Malik for a further period of five years.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X, "The Modi government has declared the 'Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (Mohd. Yasin Malik faction)' as an 'Unlawful Association' for a further period of five years".
"The banned outfit continues to engage in activities that foment terror and secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir. Anyone found challenging the security, sovereignty, and integrity of the nation will face harsh legal consequences," he said in his post.
On March 22, 2019, centre declared JKLF-Yasin Malik faction as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act -1967. Subsequently, the Tribunal constituted under section 5 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the JKLF as an unlawful association, by its order published, vide, notification number S.O. 3460 (E), dated September 25, 2019 confirmed the declaration so made.
The declaration was set to expire on March 21, 2024.
Moreover, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also declared four factions of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League—namely, JKPL (Mukhtar Ahmed Waza), JKPL (Bashir Ahmad Tota), JKPL (Ghulam Mohammad Khan), and JKPL (Aziz Sheikh) led by Yaqoob Sheikh—as 'Unlawful Associations'.
"The Modi government will remain unsparing to people and organisations involved in terror activities and is committed to suppressing terrorism ruthlessly," the Home Minister added.
In a notification, the MHA declared the four factions of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League (JKPL), namely, JKPL (Mukhtar Ahmed Waza), JKPL (Bashir Ahmad Tota), JKPL (Ghulam Mohammad Khan @Sopori) also known as Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Political League and JKPL (Aziz Sheikh) led by Yaqoob Sheikh, as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act-1967.
The MHA said these factions of JKPL are indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country.
It said that members of these factions of JKPL have remained involved in supporting terrorist activities and anti-India propaganda for fuelling secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a separate notification, the MHA also declared Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Freedom League led by Farooq Rehmani as an unlawful association under the UAPA.
The MHA said members of the JKPFL have remained involved in supporting terrorist activities and anti-India propaganda for fuelling secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir.