Coming down heavily on terror funding, Yasin Malik’s Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front banned under anti-terror law

New Delhi, March 23: In a fresh turn of events in the terror funding cases following the Pulwama attack, the central government on Friday banned Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik’s Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) under section 3 of the anti-terror law. The decision was taken by the Cabinet committee on Security, highlighting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) policy to curb terror and groups instigating terror in the Kashmir valley.

A statement by the Home Ministry stated, “Central Government in its pursuit of strong action against terrorism, has today declared JKLF (Yasin faction) as an unlawful association under the provisions of Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The Central Government has followed the policy of ‘Zero Tolerance’ against terrorism and has acted strongly against terrorists. Securities Forces have been given free hand to deal with terrorism".

The move comes nearly a month after a major crackdown on separatists in the valley was launched on 24 February where 130 separatists from the Jamaat-e-Islami (Kashmir) and the Hurriyat Conference were arrested, including JKLF Chief Yasin Malik and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Abdul Hamid Fayaz.

“JKLF has many serious cases registered against it. This organisation is responsible for murder of 4 Indian Air Force personnel and kidnapping of Dr. Rubaiya Sayeed (daughter of the then Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in Shri V. P. Singh’s Government). This organization, alongside, is also responsible for illegal funnelling of funds for fomenting terrorism. JKLF is actively involved in raising of funds and its distribution to Hurriyat cadres and stone-pelters to fuel unrest in the Kashmir valley as well as for subversive activities. Activities of JKLF (Y) pose a serious threat to the security of the country and are prejudicial to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India," the ministry added.

Earlier this month, the Union home ministry also banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir for a period of five years on grounds of the outfit being in “close touch" with militant outfits. The Jamaat-e-Islami was banned under anti-terror law as well with the Centre aiming to dial down terror in the valley.