NEW DELHI, Dec 27: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared “Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction)” (MLJK-MA) as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday.
In a post on X, Mr Shah stated, “This organisation and its members are involved in anti-national and secessionist activities in J&K supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in J&K. The PM @narendramodi government’s message is loud and clear that anyone acting against the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of our nation will not be spared and face the full wrath of the law.”
The organisation is led by Masarat Alam, interim chairman of the hardline faction of All India Hurriyat Conference, which was earlier led by separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
The Home Ministry notification said the organisation was known for its “anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda”. It added that its leaders have been involved in raising funds from various sources, “including Pakistan and its proxy organisations,” for perpetrating unlawful activities. It added that the organisation’s members have been indulging in secessionist activities and show sheer disrespect towards the country’s constitutional authority.
The notification said leaders of the organisation, particularly its chairman Masarat Alam, have been indulging in unlawful activities prejudicial to the country’s unity, integrity, security and communal harmony. Alam was among the main organisers of pro-Azadi protests in the Valley in 2010. He was arrested along with several other leaders after those protests and was released in 2015 by the then Mehbooba Mufti government. This eventually had led to friction between PDP and BJP coalition partners in the state.
(Manas Dasgupta)