The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday declared the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) as an “unlawful association” under the anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for five years.
Alam has remained in detention in Jammu and Kashmir for the past 20 years, with brief periods of release. Since 2019 he has been lodged in Delhi’s Tihar jail. He was appointed chief of the separatist group — Hurriyat Conference — after the death of chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani in 2021.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X that “the organisation and its members are involved in anti-national and secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in J&K.”
The post said Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s message is loud and clear that “anyone acting against the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of our nation will not be spared and face the full wrath of the law.”
The MHA notification said the MLJK-MA was known for its anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda and its objectives were to get freedom of Jammu and Kashmir from India so as to realise the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan and establish Islamic rule.
Unlawful activities
The Ministry said the outfit had been involved in raising funds through various sources, including Pakistan and its proxy organisations, for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting terrorist activities, and the sustained stone-pelting on security forces showed sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set-up of the country;
The Home Ministry said there had been a number of inputs showing linkages of the MLJK-MA with banned terrorist organisations and its members had been involved in supporting terrorist activities with an intent to create a reign of terror in the country.
It said the Central government was of the opinion that if there was no immediate curb or control of unlawful activities of the MLJK-MA it would use the opportunity to “continue with the anti-national activities which are detrimental to the territorial integrity, security and sovereignty of the country; continue advocating the secession of Jammu and Kashmir form the Union of India while disputing its accession to the Union of India; and continue propagating false narrative and anti-national sentiments among the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the intention to cause disaffection against India and disrupt public order.”
The outfit was declared an unlawful association under Section 3 (3) of the UAPA for five years.
Published - December 27, 2023 02:50 pm IST
