The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Government ordered the deputation of 57 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service officers to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) on a short-term basis.

As per the communiqué, the officers will be deployed as Camp Directors and Additional Camp Directors at various camps along the route of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2024.

It said that the Controlling Officers are instructed to relieve the selected officers so they can report to the office of the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, on a date that will be communicated by the Board separately. The exact deployment of the officers will be determined by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.

During their deputation, the officers will continue to draw their salaries from their current places of posting. They will return to their respective positions immediately after the conclusion of the Yatra 2024, it further said.

The arrangement ensures that the necessary administrative support is provided for the smooth conduct of the Yatra, while maintaining the officers' employment terms and conditions, it added.

SRINAGAR — Amid the tourism boom, the J&K administration has constituted district-level committees to be headed by the concerned deputy commissioners for the identification of land to establish 5-star hotels in the Union Territory.

The move comes at a time when J&K is witnessing a huge tourism influx. Earlier, the local news agency KNO reported that over a million tourists including a record number of foreign guests have visited Kashmir till mid-May.

As per the order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), number—1116-J&KGAD, dated May 30, 2024, sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of district level committee (s) for identification of land for establishment of 5-star hotels in the Union Territory.

The panel(s), as per the order, will have concerned deputy commissioners as its chairman with the concerned Director Tourism, DFO, Chief Town Planner, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of District Industries Centre as its members.

“The terms of reference of the committee(s) will be to identify suitable land for the establishment of 5-star hotels. This may include state land, forest land, private land etc having the potential and feasibility considering factors such as accessibility and other basic infrastructure required for the project,” the order reads.

The panel(s), as per the order, will submit the proposal through Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Jammu to the Tourism Department. The panel(s) will have to identify the site and suggest the distance from the tourist destination and road connectivity as well.

Officials in the Tourism Department said that there is a dire need to set up the 5-star hotels in J&K given the huge tourist influx. “When we intend to host over two crore tourists, there is a need to have quality infrastructure as well. This time, we are witnessing good arrivals of foreign guests from South East Asian countries and to give them better experience beyond the natural beauty of the Valley, we should have 5-star hotels across the UT,” he said and welcomed the J&K administration’s move of setting up panel(s) for identification of land for 5-star hotels.

A tourism official said that there are very few 5-star hotels in J&K and to host foreign guests, business class and quality tourists from the country, having 5-star accommodations will help push the sector further up,” he said.

The official said last year’s successful and peaceful G-20 summit has helped lure a large number of foreign tourists to J&K. “This year, we intend to host over 2.5 crore tourists, which will be a record,” he said.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday revised the file submission protocol for all its departments in the Union Territory.

As per the order, all files pertaining to various government departments that are not assigned to an Advisor will now be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary.

The change modifies the earlier Government Order No. 1026-JK(GAD) of 2020 of November 2, 2020 and Government Order No. 704-JK(GAD) of 2023 of June 16, 2023.

It, however, said that the files from the Home Department relating to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA) will continue to be submitted through the current channels of submission, without any changes.

NEW DELHI — Sending a tough message, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that no family member of any militant nor close relatives of stone pelters will get government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah also said that the Narendra Modi government has not only targeted militants but also eliminated their ecosystem, resulting in a drastic fall in militancy incidents in the country.

“In Kashmir, we have taken a decision that if someone joins a terrorist organisation, their family members will not get any government job,” he told PTI in an interview over the weekend.

Similarly, Shah said, if someone indulges in stone pelting, his family members will also not get a government job.

He said some human rights activists went to the Supreme Court against the decision but, at the end, the government prevailed.

The home minister, however, said the government will make an exception in case someone from a family comes forward and informs the authorities that his or her close relative has joined a militant outfit. Such families will be given relief, he said.

Earlier, funeral processions used to be taken out in Kashmir after a militant was killed, Shah said. “We have stopped this trend. We have ensured that the terrorist is buried with all religious formalities but in an isolated place,” he said.

The home minister said when a militant is surrounded by the security forces, he is first given a chance to surrender. “We call family members like his mother or wife and ask them to make an appeal to the terrorist to surrender. If he (the terrorist) does not listen, he dies,” Shah said.

The home minister said militancy incidents have gone down significantly in Jammu and Kashmir as the government has not only targeted the militants but also eliminated their ecosystem. “Through the NIA (National Investigation Agency), we have taken strong action against terror funding and ended it. We have taken a very tough stand on terror funding,” he said.

In the case of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), Shah said the government has imposed a ban on the publication and spread of the militant ideology by it.

Muslim radical group PFI, founded in Kerala, was banned under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the Centre in September 2022 over its alleged links with terror activities.

In the case of Amritpal Singh, an alleged pro-Khalistani separatist, “we have put him in jail under the NSA (National Security Act),” he said.

Singh, the chief of the radical Sikh separatist group ‘Waris Punjab De’, was arrested in April 2023 in Punjab under the stringent NSA and subsequently shifted to Assam where he is lodged in Dibrugarh jail. He recently filed nomination papers from the jail to contest the Lok Sabha election from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib seat.

According to Union home ministry data, there were 228 militancy-initiated incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 and the number came down to around 50 in 2023.

There were 189 encounters between security forces and militants in 2018 and it came down to around 40 in 2023. As many as 55 civilians were killed due to various terror incidents in 2018. The number came down to around five in 2023.

In 2018, a total of 91 security personnel were killed in militant violence in Jammu and Kashmir, with the figure declining to around 15 in 2023.

SRINAGAR — The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has issued a weather forecast for Jammu and Kashmir, predicting generally dry conditions with intermittent chances of thundershowers at isolated locations.

From May 28 to 29, generally dry weather is expected, though thundershowers may occur in isolated areas. On May 30 and 31, the region will experience partly to generally cloudy conditions with light rain or thunderstorms at isolated places. This pattern will continue from June 1 to 2.

A return to generally dry weather is forecast for June 3 to 5, followed by generally cloudy conditions with light rain or thunderstorms at isolated places from June 6 to 7.

The heatwave and hot, dry weather will persist over the plains of the Jammu Division for the next seven days. However, slight relief from the heatwave is expected from May 30 to June 2 in most parts of the Kashmir Division and some hilly areas of the Jammu Division.

It is in place to mention here that another spell of the heatwave is anticipated from June 3 to 5.

Residents are advised to avoid heat exposure between noon and 3 pm and to drink plenty of fluids, particularly vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, infants, and children.

SRINAGAR — Tightening the noose around the CSCs for overcharging, the inspection teams of the Information Technology Department have recommended the cancellation of six licenses in both the divisions of Jammu and Kashmir during a surprise check of the same.

The inspection teams, under the supervision of Commissioner Secretary, Prerna Puri, conducted the surprise check of various CSCs in the twin districts of Samba and Jammu of Jammu division and Budgam in Kashmir division.

The inspection was done to cross-check and verify CSC’s adherence to government-notified rates. The teams were supervised by Aijaz Qaiser, Additional Secretary, IT Department.

During the surprise checks, 45 CSCs of Samba and Kathua districts (22 CSCs of District Samba and 23 CSCs of District Kathua) were inspected in Jammu division while 28 CSCs of Budgam district were inspected in Kashmir division. The inspection teams have recommended the cancellation of the licenses of six CSCs, three in the Jammu division and three CSCs in the Kashmir division.

Pertinently, the IT Department has notified rates to avail various online services which envisage Rs. 50 per service for government-to-citizen services and Rs. 75 for government-to-business services. Based on complaints of overcharging, 664 CSC licenses have been cancelled in the last year.

Meanwhile, the Vice President CSC-SPV J&K has been directed to ensure that the notified rates are prominently displayed at a conspicuous place in each CSC, sensitizing all Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) regarding notified rates.

SRINAGAR — The Special Judge for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases in Jammu has convicted two individuals, including an investigator on the panel of Oriental Insurance Company (OIC) and a claimant, in a case involving bogus insurance claims.

As per a statement, the case was registered by the CBI in 2007. The accused allegedly conspired to submit fraudulent insurance claims for dwelling houses in Srinagar, reported to have been gutted by fire during 1997-98.

The statement further said that the accused obtained an undue claim amounting to Rs 9,52,913 from Oriental Insurance Company Limited, despite no fire incidents being recorded during that period by the J&K Fire and Emergency Services Command, Srinagar.

After completing the investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet in 2009. The chargesheet, related to the false claim for the residential building of Satish Chander Wasoori, named the accused as Subhash Saraf (Surveyor), Raj Nath Tickoo (Investigator), Satish Chander Wasoori (Claimant), and Badri Nath Koul (Development Officer, Oriental Insurance Company).

Charges were framed against all the accused in 2010. However, Subhash Saraf and Badri Nath Koul passed away during the trial, leading to the abatement of charges against them.

Following the trial, the court found RN Tickoo, the investigator, and Satish Chander Wasoori, the claimant, guilty.

The CBI presented 32 witnesses and 97 documents to support the charges, which were upheld in court. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Tuesday (tomorrow).

SRINAGAR — With a likely respite from rains till May 5, precipitation of light intensity has been forecasted by the Meteorological Centre Srinagar at scattered places of J&K from May 6 to 7.

As per the news agency CNS, an official from the MeT Centre Srinagar in the latest weather update stated that mainly dry weather would be experienced from May 1 to 5 besides afternoon showers and the occurrence of hail at a few places during the given period.

However, the MeT has also expected light rainfall and thunder at scattered places on 6 and 7 of the next month.

According to the data compiled by the MeT Centre Srinagar, Srinagar received 23.6 mm rainfall during the last 24 hours till 8:30 am today, with Qazigund, Pahalgam, Kupwara, Kokernag, Gulmarg, Konibal, Muzaffarabad and Leh receiving 40.2mm, 41.6mm, 19.8mm, 35.8mm, 21.0mm, 34.0mm, 9.0mm and 0.1mm, respectively.

After anticipating dry weather in J&K from tomorrow, the MeT has advised farmers to resume farm operations from May 1 (Wednesday).

SRINAGAR — Despite the absence of a modification order from the Jammu & Kashmir Government's General Administration Department or administrative secretaries of other departments, government employees in Jammu & Kashmir have returned to duty amid confusion over the Eid holiday.

While banks remained closed on Thursday following a directive from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), reports indicate that chaos ensued over the holiday as Jammu & Kashmir celebrated Eid on Wednesday, in contrast to the rest of the country, which observed it on Thursday.

The confusion stemmed from Jammu & Kashmir, along with Ladakh Union Territory, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, celebrating Eid on Wednesday, while the rest of the nation observed it on Thursday.

Traditionally, state and union territory governments issue separate orders when festivals like Eid are celebrated on different dates across the country. However, the Jammu & Kashmir Government did not follow this precedent, opting not to issue any modification order or clarification.

Although Ladakh UT Administration and J&K High Court issued separate orders declaring Eid holiday for Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, the Jammu & Kashmir Government and Jammu & Kashmir Bank remained silent on the matter.

Internal communications from drawing and disbursing officers instructed employees to return to duty on Thursday despite confusion over the holiday. The officers assured employees that the Smart Attendance app would be updated to reflect Wednesday as a holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Interestingly, non-Muslim government employees are granted 3-4 days of mass casual leave for Puja holidays. This time, Kashmiri Pandit government employees are availing four days of mass casual leave in connection with the Navratra festival celebrated earlier this week.

JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir Police have kept a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on one of the most wanted 'terrorists' of Jammu region, Muhammad Qasim Gujjar alias Suleman of district Reasi. He is presently staying in Sialkote area of Pakistan.

According to the news agency KNO, Jammu and Kashmir Police has released a poster with two pictures of Muhammad Qasim Gujjar and has asked people to provide information about him. “The identity of the person will be kept secret and Rs 10 lakh will be given to the one who provides the information,” the poster reads.

Police have said that the militant is involved in many militant activities including attacks, radicalization, recruitment, 'terror financing' and weapon dropping through drones.

“The terrorist Muhammad Qasim Gujjar (41), son of Late Muhammad Shafi, is a native of village Angralla, tehsil Mahore of district Reasi. He has a wheatish complexion, his body is medium-sized, his height is five feet 10 inches, hair style is black and straight and he usually wears a Pathani suit and combat dress,” police said.

A case bearing FIR number 02/2024 of Police Station CID counter-insurgency Jammu stands registered against the accused.

Police further said that Gujjar is a designated terrorist under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act of 1967 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. “Whoever provides any information leading to the arrest of Qasim will be rewarded Rs 10 lakh,” the police poster reads.

Police have shared a mobile number 9596101798 and an email ID shareinfo.cid@jkpolice.gov.in for sharing the information.

SRINAGAR — Jammu Kashmir Employees Coordination Committee (JKECC) on Monday urged the J&K Administration for three-day special casual leave for Jammu-based Muslim employees working in the Valley to enable them to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their families and sought a full day special leave for Muslim employees on the day of Arafah.

As per the news agency CNS, the President of JKECC Shah Fayaz has requested the J&K Administration to announce three-day special leave for Jammu-based Muslim employees, who are working in the Valley so that they could celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in their homes along with families.

Fayaz has also requested a full day of special leave for all Muslim employees on the Arafah, a day before Eid for preparations.

“I request LG Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary Atul Duloo and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to kindly have a considerate view of demands and issue necessary orders in this regard,” President JKECC said.

He said that the majority of the concerned employees are either heads of their families or the lone-earning souls of their families.

“So, it is requested on humanitarian grounds that such employees may kindly be given relief in terms of three days of special casual leave on the special occasion of Eid ul Fitr. It will be a favour for which the JKECC would be highly indebted to higher-ups and hopefully, the submission may be considered and orders be issued in this regard as soon as possible,” said Shah Fayaz.

SRINAGAR — Land revenues have seen a remarkable rise from Rs 291 crore in the fiscal year 2019-20 to an impressive Rs 544 crore in 2022-23, following the registration system’s complete modernization and integration with the National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS). Linking this system with Aadhaar has not only enhanced transparency and credibility but has also resulted in a notable increase in government income.

As per the reports received by the news agency KNO, in the wake of the abrogation of Article 370, rural areas of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are witnessing a remarkable surge in property registrations, marking a significant four-fold increase over the past two years. According to recent data, the number of registrations skyrocketed from 21,293 in 2020-21 to an impressive 80,128 in 2022-23.

The introduction of a digital system for property registration has revolutionized the traditional approach, liberating citizens from the cumbersome process of engaging Katibs (registry scribes).

Historically, land registration in Jammu and Kashmir was exclusive to the courts, dating back to 1889 when Maharaja Pratap entrusted this responsibility to the judicial system based on the Jammu and Kashmir Registration Act of 1977 Vikram Samvat. However, according to a senior Revenue official, with the repeal of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and the subsequent formation of a dedicated land registration department under the Revenue Department, a paradigm shift has occurred.

This overhaul, as per the reports, led to the establishment of 77 registrars and sub-registrars who now operate under the purview of the Central Law Registration Act of 1908, replacing 153 state laws with 106 Central laws.

The transition to digitalization has particularly benefited rural areas, offering enhanced facilities such as SMS alerts for registration updates, mandatory thumb impressions, and the convenience of home-based and online registrations. This has proven especially advantageous for the elderly, disabled, and those unable to visit government offices.

Furthermore, reports inform that the integration of the registration system with the National Generic Document Registration System and Aadhaar has significantly bolstered transparency and credibility in the registration process. As a result, government revenues have witnessed a substantial increase, with income surging from Rs 291 crore in 2019-20 to a noteworthy Rs 544 crore in 2022-23.

SRINAGAR — As the day temperature has gone up in J&K parts, the weatherman here has predicted a two-day wet spell in Jammu and Kashmir from tomorrow (March 21), saying that light to moderate rains and snow is expected at many places.

According to the news agency KNO, a fresh Western Disturbance (WD) is affecting Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow and under its influence, light to moderate rain and snow is expected to commence in parts of Kashmir from tomorrow afternoon onwards.

Director Meteorological Department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the weather would remain generally cloudy; there is a possibility of light to moderate rains, snow at many places with thunder, lightning and gusty winds over plans of Kashmir and Jammu division.

An independent weather forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng also stated that by evening tomorrow, most parts in Kashmir Valley would have received a spell of rain and snow.

"Rain and snow activities can continue in some areas on March 22," he said, adding that the least impact of WD is expected in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts.

There is a possibility of hailstorms and gusty winds in some areas during this period, he added.

However, the MeT Director stated that the weather would remain generally dry on March 23 while on March 24, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with light rain and snow at isolated places.

While the weather is expected to remain dry during March 25 and 26, the weather would remain generally cloudy with the possibility of light rain and snow at a few places on March 27 to March 29.

SRINAGAR — For conducting government business, all treasuries of J&K including Civil Secretariat Treasury and Sub Treasury, New Delhi have been ordered to remain open on Sunday, March 31, 2024.

An order in this regard reads, “It is hereby ordered that All the Treasuries of Jammu District including Civil Secretariat Treasury and New Delhi Treasury shall remain open on Friday 29th of March, 2024 for conducting government business.”

The Civil Secretariat Treasury, J&K and Sub Treasury, New Delhi shall remain open on Saturday 30th of March, 2024 for conducting government business, reads the order.

“All Treasuries of UT of J&K including Civil Secretariat Treasury and Sub Treasury, New Delhi shall remain open on Sunday 31st of March, 2024 exclusively for the purpose of receiving government receipts only,” the order added.

It was said that the last date/time for receipt of claims for disbursement at Treasury for the fiscal year 2023-24 shall be 25th of March, 2024 at 04:00 PM. “Treasury Officers shall communicate consolidated liability on 29th of March by 05:30 PM. The bills/claims so presented in the month of March are liable to Special Audit wherever required.”

Any bill presented after the cut-off time in the Treasury shall be entertained with the prior approval of the Finance Department, it added.

SRINAGAR — In the past five years, the Government of India has banned nine separatist groups in Jammu & Kashmir.

Details available with news agency KNO reveal that the Union Home Ministry has declared nine separatist groups in J&K as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act-1967, since 2019.

On February 18, 2019, the Union Home Ministry banned Jamaat-e-Islami, a cadre-based organisation with a pan-Kashmir presence. The MHA said that the outfit was involved in activities aimed at disrupting India’s integrity.

Nearly a month later, on March 22, 2019, the MHA declared the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) as an unlawful association for “supporting extremism and militancy” and indulging in “anti-national activity”.

On October 5, 2023, the Union Home Ministry banned jailed separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah's Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) for its "anti-India" and "pro-Pakistan" activities.

Two months later, on December 28, 203, the Union Home Ministry banned the Masarat Alam-led Muslim League, a separatist organisation, for “anti-national and secessionist” activities in J&K.

On December 31, 2023, the MHA banned Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH) which was earlier headed by deceased separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

On February 28, 2024, the MHA first banned the Muslim Conference Jammu & Kashmir (Sumji faction) and Muslim Conference Jammu & Kashmir (Bhat faction) over 'terror' charges. They were respectively part of Hurriyat (G) and Hurriyat (M) before August 5, 2019.

On March 12, 2023, the government banned the Jammu & Kashmir National Front over charges of "indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, and security of the country."

On March 16, 2024, the Government of India banned four factions of Jammu & Kashmir Peoples League (JKPL) and Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Freedom League (JKPFL).

The MHA declared factions of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League (JKPL), namely 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, as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act-1967.

On the same day, the Centre banned the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Freedom League headed by Farooq Rehmani.

SRINAGAR — To address the longstanding issue of unemployment, the Jammu and Kashmir Government is going to initiate the recruitment process to fill more than 12,000 vacant positions across various government departments.

As per an official document available with the news agency KNO, the Jammu and Kashmir administration will fill 12,264 positions that have been vacant in various government departments for many years.

The document said that the government since 2019 has filled as many as 31,830 vacancies in various government departments through multiple recruitment drives. “These 31,830 selections have been made in a fair, transparent, and expeditious manner. Interviews have been dispensed for the posts up to the pay level 5,” it said.

Official sources said that the vacancies are to be filled in departments including Health, Jal Shakti, Social Welfare, Rural Development department and others.

“The government has already enlisted the number of vacancies in various departments. We have a large number of vacant posts in the health department. Multiple recruitment drives shall follow this year and all the vacant posts will be filled in a speedy manner,” they said.

Officials said the recruitment drive will prioritize transparency and efficiency, adhering to established guidelines and procedures. The selection process is expected to be conducted rigorously, ensuring merit-based appointments to maintain the integrity of the civil services.

“By filling these vacancies, the government aims to strengthen its workforce, streamline service delivery, and promote inclusive development across the region,” they said.

Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir as per the Ministry of State for Labour and Employment has recorded a decrease in the unemployment rate for graduate persons of age 15 years.

As per the ministry, during 2021-22, the estimated Unemployment Rate (UR) in Jammu and Kashmir was 22.8% for graduate persons aged 15 years. During 2022-23, the estimated unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir was 18.3 for graduates aged 15 years.

It is worth mentioning that the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department has recently referred more than 4,000 vacancies of police constable posts to the Services Selection Board.

SRINAGAR — The Centre has constituted a tribunal consisting of Delhi High Court judges to adjudicate the ban on two factions of the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference.

According to an order, the tribunal, constituted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, will consist of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna of Delhi High Court.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had banned both factions of the Muslim Conference headed by Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat and Sumji respectively on February 28 under UAPA for five years.

Now, the Centre has constituted the tribunal for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring both factions as an unlawful association.

SRINAGAR — Amid the controversy, the authorities on Saturday said that watermelons are safe for consumption.

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Commissioner, J&K Drug & Food Control Organisation, Shagufta Jalal, as per the news agency KNO said that they had taken samples from all the districts of the Kashmir valley after apprehensions were raised about the sale of watermelons.

She said that the test results that came today have shown that watermelons are safe for consumption.

"Nothing adverse has come in the test reports and we appeal to the people not to pay heed to rumours," Jalal said, adding that watermelon is not a seasonal fruit.

About action against those who have spread the rumours, Jalal said the matter has been taken up with the higher-ups.

SRINAGAR — The Union Home Ministry has declared four factions of the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples League as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.

In a notification, the MHA has declared Peoples League (Mukthar Ahmad Waza), Peoples League (Bashir Ahmad Tota), Peoples League (Ghulam Ahmad Khan Sopori) and Peoples League (Sheikh Aziz) as unlawful associations) under the UAPA.

SRINAGAR — The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, announced on Saturday the declaration of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (Mohammad Yasin Malik faction) as an 'unlawful association' under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, effective immediately.

Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Modi government has extended the ban on the 'Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (Mohammad Yasin Malik faction)' for an additional five years, citing the organization's involvement in activities that foster 'terrorism' and separatism in the region.

The outlawed group's activities are deemed detrimental to the security, sovereignty, and integrity of the nation, warned Shah, emphasizing that severe legal consequences await those who challenge the nation's stability.