Mubashir Alam
Srinagar, Feb 28: The Union Home Ministry has declared both factions of Muslim Conference, one headed by former Hurriyat chairman Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat and another by Ghulam Nabi Sumji- as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act-1967.
The Home Minister issued two separate notifications, copies of which are in possession of the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), to ban both factions of Muslim Conference. Before August 5, 2019, Prof. Bhat led faction was part of Hurriyat led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while other was part of Hurriyat led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
According to MHA, the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Bhat faction), chaired by Abdul Ghani Bhat have been indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country.
It said that the faction has linkages with banned terrorist organizations and has supported terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir
The MHA further said the members of the faction led by Prof. Bhat have been indulging in generating feelings of hatred and disaffection against India to separate Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India.
In the notification, the Ministry said that the leaders and members of the MCJK-B 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.
In the notification banning Muslim Conference headed by Ghulam Nabi Sumji, the MHA said the faction is known for its anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda. “Members of the MCJK-S have remained involved in supporting terrorist activities and providing logistic support to terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir,” it said.
According to MHA, the leaders and members of the faction have been involved in raising funds through various sources including Pakistan and its proxy organisations for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting terrorist activities, sustained stone-pelting on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.
It said that MCJK-S has “constantly asked the people of Kashmir to refrain from taking part in elections and thereby targeted and hampered the very basic constitutionally recognized fundamentals of Indian democracy.”
It said that the faction and its members by their activities show sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country. (KNO)
