The Centre has banned the Yasin Malik-led Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, a separatist organisation, accusing it of having terror links and driving Kashmir Pandits out of the Valley in 1989.
"Malik was the mastermind behind the purging of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley and is responsible for their genocide," said the Ministry of Home Affair in a statement on Friday.
JKLF has been at the forefront of separatist activities and violence since 1988 apart from raising funds for Hurriyat cadres, stone-pelters and subversive activities, said the ministry, invoking the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 against it.
The organisation faces nearly 40 cases, including for murder of four Indian Air Force personnel and kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of former Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in VP Singh's government. It has been probed by the state police, the CBI and the National Investigation Agency.
Yasin Malik has been a prominent separatist leader in Kashmir and has been regularly under house arrest for his activities in the Valley.
PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti slammed the action against JKLF. "Yasin Malik renounced violence as a way of resolving J&K issue a long time ago. He was treated as a stakeholder in a dialogue initiated by then PM Vajpayee ji. What will a ban on his organisation achieve? Detrimental steps like these will only turn Kashmir into an open air prison", tweeted Mehbooba.
JKLF is the second organisation in Jammu and Kashmir that has been banned this month. Earlier, the Centre had banned the Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K). This outfit is responsible for the birth of Hizbul Mujahideen, the biggest terrorist organisation active in the state. JeI (J&K) has been supporting Hizbul with recruits, funding, shelter and logistics, says the government.
Former JKLF leader Javid Ahmad Mir said separatists have always played a role of bridge between India and Pakistan. He said they have lost nearly 300 activists ever since JKLF announced ceasefire in 1995. "But we continued to pursue the path of peace and fight politically and diplomatically."
Following the Pulwama attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead, the government has withdrawn security cover of many secessionist leaders. This process will continue, said sources.
Faces 40 cases
- JKLF faces nearly 40 cases, including murder of 4 IAF men, and has been probed by CBI and NIA
- This ban means JKLF and its members will face crackdown. Its assets will be seized and all bank accounts frozen
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