The central government has shockingly imposed a sweeping five-year ban on two prominent Jammu and Kashmir-based groups—Awami Action Committee (AAC) and Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM)—under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) of 1967, escalating tensions in the region.
In a dramatic move on Tuesday, the Central Government announced the official ban of two prominent Jammu and Kashmir-based organizations — the Awami Action Committee (AAC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) — under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967, imposing a five-year prohibition. The AAC, led by Umar Farooq, and the JKIM, under the leadership of Masroor Abbas Ansari, have been accused of involvement in activities that pose a direct threat to national security and stability. This bold decision signals the government’s firm stance on combating elements deemed to be undermining the integrity of the nation.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reported that the Awami Action Committee (AAC), led by Umar Farooq, has been actively involved in supporting terrorist activities and spreading anti-India rhetoric aimed at promoting separatism in Jammu and Kashmir. The ministry outlined that the AAC has been collecting funds to back secessionist and terrorist operations in the region. Further, it emphasized that the group has shown a blatant disregard for India’s constitutional authority by instigating unrest, fostering insurgency, and propagating hatred against the government.
The notice highlighted several legal cases against AAC members, including Umar Farooq, for their role in promoting anti-national speeches, inciting violence, and encouraging acts like stone-pelting. It also referred to a 2018 charge sheet by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against AAC spokesperson Aftab Ahmad Shah and 11 other individuals, accusing them of plotting against the state. Moreover, the notice cited multiple police cases dating back to 2008, with charges related to inflammatory rhetoric, calls to boycott elections, and efforts to provoke public unrest.
The government expressed concern that if the AAC’s actions remain unchecked, the group could continue to incite violence, spread separatist ideology, and support militant activities. The MHA emphasized that such activities pose a significant threat to national security and public order. Under the authority granted by Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) of 1967, the MHA officially declared the AAC as an unlawful organization. The ban will be enforced for a period of five years from the publication of the notification in the Official Gazette, unless legally contested.