Mehbooba expresses concern over ban on AAC, JKIM

Srinagar, Mar 12: Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday expressed serious concern over imposition of ban on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led Awami Action Committee (AAC) and Masroor Abbas Ansari’s J&K Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), urging New Delhi to end its muscular policy in Jammu & Kashmir.

She said it is beyond understanding that on one hand New Delhi is providing Z plus category security to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, while on the other hand his party Awami Action Committee has been banned.

“It is bad to ban AAC and JKIM. We all know that Mirwaiz is himself a victim of violence. His father Late Moulvi Mohammad Farooq has formed AAC and sacrificed his life even. Those organizations banned a day ago are purely socio-political organizations,” Mehbooba Mufti told reporters.

Expressing surprise over centre’s approach towards J&K, Mehbooba Mufti said “How long New Delhi will continue its muscular policy in J&K.  I think this should not be happened”.

She urged New Delhi to avoid harsh measures, and provide healing touch to people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“If he (Mirwaiz) was anti-national, then why he was given security cover,” she asked.

The PDP president added the things going on in J&K as of now is regrettable, and added people were hoping that with the formation of elected government their sufferings will come to an end, but it didn’t happen.

Taking a dig at NC-led government, she said that such actions have been normalized due to grave silence of an elected government.

The Central government on Tuesday banned the Awami Action Committee (AAC), led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for five years. It also banned the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), headed by Masroor Abbas Ansari for five years.

In two separate notifications, the Home Ministry cited the organisations’ involvement in activities that threaten the sovereignty, integrity, and security of India.