The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has banned four factions of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League (JKPL) as ‘unlawful associations’ for a period of five years. The banned factions are JKPL (Mukhtar Ahmed Waza), JKPL (Bashir Ahmad Tota), JKPL (Ghulam Mohammad Khan alias Sopori), also known as Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Political League, and JKPL (Aziz Sheikh) led by Yaqoob Sheikh.
The MHA’s decision was based on intelligence inputs regarding their involvement in “indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, and security of the country.” According to the notification issued, these factions have been involved in supporting terrorist activities, anti-India propaganda, and promoting secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir.
The notification also highlighted their role in organizing violent protests, including stone-pelting on security forces, and discouraging people from participating in elections, thus undermining democratic principles. The MHA stated that immediate action was necessary to control their activities, which pose a threat to the territorial integrity, security, and sovereignty of the country.
“The Central Government, having regard to the above circumstances, is of firm opinion that it is necessary to declare the four factions of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League (JKPL), namely, JKPL (Mukhtar Ahmed Waza), JKPL (Bashir Ahmad Tota), JKPL (Ghulam Mohammad Khan @Sopori) also known as Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Political League and JKPL (Aziz Sheikh) led by Yaqoob Sheikh as ‘unlawful associations’ with immediate effect,” the notification stated.
The ban will be in effect for a period of five years from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act.