Declaration of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (Jkdfp) as an “Unlawful Association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967

No. 373] CHENNAI, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 Aippasi 10, Sobakiruthu, Thiruvalluvar Aandu-2054

Part II—Section 1

Notifications or Orders of specific character or of particular interest to the

public issued by Secretariat Departments.

NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT

PUBLIC DEPARTMENT

(SC)

DECLARATION OF THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM PARTY (JKDFP) AS AN "UNLAWFUL ASSOCIATION" UNDER THE UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES (PREVENTION) ACT, 1967

[G.O.No.SS.I/510-1/2023, Public (SC), 27th October 2023.]

No. II(1)/PUSC/31(f)/2023.

The following Notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi, dated the 5th October 2023 is republished:-

S.O. 4348(E).—Whereas, the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (hereinafter referred to as the JKDFP) was formed in 1998 by Shabir Ahmad Shah, a prominent separatist known for his anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda;

And Whereas, the founder of the JKDFP had called Kashmir as a 'dispute' and ruled out any settlement within the framework of the Constitution of India;

And Whereas, the members of the JKDFP have been at the forefront of secessionist activities in the Jammu and Kashmir and want to create a separate Islamic State;

And Whereas, the leader or members of the JKDFP 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;

And Whereas, the JKDFP and its members by their activities show sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country;

And Whereas, the JKDFP and its members have been involved in the violent terrorist activities with an intent to create a reign of terror in the country, thereby endangering the security and public order of the State, and its anti-national activities also show disrespect and disregard to the constitutional authority and sovereignty of the State, hence an immediate and prompt action is required against the organisation;

And Whereas, the Central Government is of the opinion that if there is no immediate curb or control of unlawful activities of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, it will use this opportunity to-

(i) continue with the anti-national activities which are detrimental to the territorial integrity, security and sovereignty of the country;

(ii) continue advocating the secession of the Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India while disputing its accession to the Union of India;

(iii) escalate its insurrectionary activities including attempt to carve out an Islamic State out of the territory of the Union of India by destabilizing the Government established by law; and

(iv) continue propagating anti-national sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the intention to cause disaffection against India and disrupt public order;

And Whereas, the Central Government for the above-mentioned reasons is firmly of the opinion that having regard to the activities of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party it is necessary to declare the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) as an 'unlawful association' with immediate effect;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby declares the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) as an unlawful association;

The Central Government, having regard to the above circumstances, is of firm opinion that it is necessary to declare the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) as an unlawful association with immediate effect, and accordingly, in exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 3 of the said Act, the Central Government hereby directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a period of five years from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

[F. No. 14017/12/2023-NI-MFO] Praveen vashista, Additional Secretary.

(Re-published by Order of the Governor)

SHIV DAS MEENA, Chief Secretary.