New Delhi: A month after the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel and just a few weeks before the Lok Sabha polls are scheduled to start from 11 April, the Modi government has given a “free hand” to security forces to deal with terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Central Government has followed the policy of ‘Zero Tolerance’ against terrorism and has acted strongly against terrorists. Securities Forces (sic) have been given free hand to deal with terrorism,” read a Ministry of Home Affairs statement.
“Government is committed to relentlessly pursuing the policy of curbing the activities of secessionist organizations which are threat to unity and integrity of the country. NIA and Enforcement Directorate are taking strong action against these organizations.”
The government also banned the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) led by Yasin Malik as an “unlawful association” under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967.
“The central government, in its pursuit of strong action against terrorism, has today declared the JKLF (Yasin Malik faction) as an unlawful association under the provisions of Section 3(1) of the UAPA,” a ministry official said.
Ban on Jamaat explained
On 28 February, the government had similarly banned the Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) as an unlawful association under the provisions of the UAPA.
The officer explained that Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) was responsible for formation of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), the biggest terrorist organisation active in Jammu & Kashmir.
“JeI (J&K) has been providing all kind of support to HM in terms of recruits, funding, shelter, logistics,” he said.
Also read: Yasin Malik-led Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front banned by the Centre
JKLF responsible for Pandits’ genocide
The ministry official said the JKLF spearheaded the separatist ideology in the Valley and had been at the forefront of separatist activities and violence since 1988.
“Murders of Kashmiri Pandits by JKLF in 1989 triggered their exodus from the Valley. Yasin Malik was the mastermind behind the purging of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley and is responsible for their genocide,” the officer said.
Many serious cases
The official said that the JKLF had over 37 serious cases registered against it, including the murder of four Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel, the terror funding case being probed by CBI and ED, and the kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed — daughter of union home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed when V.P. Singh was prime minister in 1989.
“This organisation 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,” the official said.
“Activities of JKLF pose a serious threat to the security of the country and are prejudicial to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India. The organisation has been actively and continuously encouraging, feelings of enmity and hatred against the lawfully established government as well as armed rebellion,” the home ministry statement added.
Security of a number of secessionist leaders provided by the state has also been withdrawn, another ministry official said.
Also read: Separatist Hurriyat Conference has lost ground in Kashmir, but not its relevance
Fake news ???
All this shall be mind boggling to Rafale Ghandy & shall become major tool in his hands in 2024 elections against NaMo the chowkidar.
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