Srinagar, Mar 16 (KNO): The Union Home Ministry on Saturday extended the ban of Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front led by Muhammad Yasin Malik for five more years.

The MHA today extended the ban on JKLF for five more years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

On March 22, 2019, the Central government JKLF-Yasin as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act -1967. Subsequently, the Tribunal constituted under section 5 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the JKLF as an unlawful association, by its order published, vide, notification number S.O. 3460 (E), dated September 25, 2019 confirmed the declaration so made.

The declaration was set to expire on March 21, 2024.

In its order extending ban on JKLF, the MHA cited cases registered the separatist group by different and life sentence to Yasin Malik by Special NIA Court New Delhi on May 25, 2022.

Citing these cases, the MHA said that JKLF is involved in anti-national and subversive activities intended to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.

“JKLF-Y is in close touch with militant outfits and is supporting extremism and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere,” the MHA said, as per notification, a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

It also said that JKLF is supporting and inciting claims for secession of a part of the Indian territory from the Union and supporting terrorist and separatist groups fighting for this purpose by indulging in activities and articulations intended to disrupt the territorial integrity of India—(KNO)