Srinagar, Oct 05: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday imposed a ban on the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), led by separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, for anti-India and pro-Pakistan activities.
This move comes under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and is aimed at curbing activities that pose a threat to India’s national security.
The ban, executed under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), is a strategic measure aimed at curtailing activities that pose a significant threat to India’s national security.
According to an order issued by MHA, the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (hereinafter referred to as the JKDFP) was formed in 1998 by Shabir Ahmad Shah, a prominent separatist known for his anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda:
“The founder of the JKDFP had called Kashmir a ‘dispute’ and ruled out any settlement within the framework of the Constitution of India and members of the JKDFP have been at the forefront of secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. They want to create a separate Islamic State,” it said.
The order reads that both leaders or members of the JKDFP have been involved in raising funds through various sources including Pakistan and its proxy organizations for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting terrorist activities, sustained stone-pelting on Security Forces in Jammu and Kashmir.
“JKDFP and its members by their activities show sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country. JKDFP and its leaders or members, particularly its founder Shabir Ahmad Shah, have been indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, security and communal harmony of the country,” it said.
The order further reads that there have been a number of inputs showing linkages of the JKDFP with banned terrorist organizations.
“The JKDFP and its members have been involved in the violent terrorist activities with an intent to create a reign of terror in the country, thereby endangering the security and public order of the State, and its anti-national activities also show disrespect and disregard to the constitutional authority and sovereignty of the State,” it said.
The order said that immediate and prompt action is required against the organisation.
“The Central Government is of the opinion that if there is no immediate curb or control of unlawful activities of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, it will use this opportunity to continue with the anti-national activities which are detrimental to the territorial integrity, security and sovereignty of the country.
“It will continue advocating the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India while disputing its accession to the Union of India,” it said.
The order further said that it will escalate its insurrectionary activities including an attempt to carve out an Islamic State out of the territory of the Union of India by destabilizing the Government established by law.
“And will continue propagating anti-national sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the intention to cause disaffection against India and disrupt public order,” it said.
The MHA order said that Central Government for the above-mentioned reasons is firmly of the opinion that having regard to the activities of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, it is necessary to declare the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) as an unlawful association’ with immediate effect:
“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby declares the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) as an unlawful association,” it said.
The Central Government, having regard to the above circumstances, is of firm opinion that it is necessary to declare the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) as an unlawful association with immediate effect, and accordingly, in exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 3 of the said Act, the Central Government hereby directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a period of five years from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
