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After Ban on Clerics from Addressing Friday Gatherings, Religious Organization Banned in Kashmir

March 01

Few days after a massive crack dawn on the Activists of Jamaat e Islami, the Indian Home Ministry has been the socio-religious outfit.

Centre government on Thursday banned Jamaat e Islami (JeI) Jammu Kashmir as “an unlawful association” under Section 3 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

An order passed by the Ministry of Home Affairs read that the “central government is of the opinion that JeI is in closed touch with militant outfits, and is supporting extremism and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, and elsewhere.”

ALSO READ: Forces Ban Clerics From Leading Friday Prayers in South Kashmir

Earlier various clerics had been barred by Government Forces from addressing Friday gatherings in various mosques.

Clerics of Idara Tehqiqat e Islami founded by Dr. Qazi Nisar were summoned to the Police stations and barred them from addressing Friday congregations in various areas of South Kashmir.

Feroz Ahmed Mir, another cleric of Idara Tehqiqat e Islami has been detained during a nocturnal raid at his house in Pakerpora area of Budgam in Central Kashmir. He leads prayers at Jamia Masjid of Pakherpora.

ALSO READ: Crackdown Against Religious Clerics, Activists Continues in the Kashmir Valley

The Jammu Kashmir Police also arrested six Jama’at activists from Laribal, Pinglish, Dardsara, Panner, Mandoora and Lurgam villages of Tral last night.

The Government Forces have also been raiding the houses of various clerics, a few prominent clerics including Mushtaq Veeray, Maqbool Akhrani were detained.

Clerics from other religious organizations were also arrested by Forces during various raids.

The Indian Forces have been accusing the Clerics of inciting people through their speeches and sermons.

They have also accused the preachers of provoking youth to Join Militancy. “Our problem is not the politicians, but the clerics,” Army officials say.

Qazi Yasir, who has been in jail for the past four months was also accused of ‘inciting people’ and immediately after his arrest, the grand crackdown on the religious clerics began in various areas of Kashmir.

Various other clerics have been asked to reach Police stations, however many of them are still evading arrest.

In February, almost sixteen clerics were summoned to Police stations and questioned for hours.

 

Prominent National Conference leader, Bashir Ahmed Veeri condemning the arrests said that the arrests prove that the BJP Government is muzzling the voice of people through repressive tactics.

He demanded the immediate release of the Jamaat e Islami activists.