Government Authorizes States, UTs to Act Against Banned J&K-Based Groups

The Central government has authorized all states and Union Territories to take decisive action against three banned groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The groups identified for action are the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Sumji faction), Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Bhat faction), and Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir.

In three identical notifications issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, it was directed that all powers vested under Sections 7 and 8 of the UAPA, 1967, shall now be wielded by state governments and Union Territory administrations concerning these unlawful associations.

This move comes in the wake of recent actions taken by the home ministry. On February 27, the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, was extended for five years, citing ongoing activities posing threats to the nation’s security, integrity, and sovereignty.

Subsequently, a day later, the ministry declared the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Sumji faction) and the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Bhat faction) as banned groups. This decision was prompted by their involvement in anti-India activities and propagating pro-Pakistan sentiments, alongside discouraging participation in elections.

Abdul Ghani Bhat’s faction held a prominent position within the moderate Hurriyat Conference following the group’s split in 2003, while Ghulam Nabi Sumji’s faction aligned with the conglomerate led by the late pro-Pakistani figure Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the government’s commitment, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, to eradicate terrorism. Shah warned of severe consequences for those engaging in unlawful actions.

The government’s extension of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir (JeI), for another five years underscores its resolve to combat activities posing threats to national security.

In a notification on Wednesday, the Union Home Ministry highlighted the anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda of the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir- Sumji faction (MCJK-S), chaired by Ghulam Nabi Sumji, noting its members’ involvement in supporting terrorist activities and providing logistical support to terrorists in J-K.

This empowerment of states and Union Territories marks a decisive step towards enhancing security measures and curbing the influence of these banned groups in the region.