A tribunal has upheld the Union government’s decision to declare the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), founded by separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, an ‘unlawful association’ under the anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The ban is effective for five years.
The UAPA tribunal’s order quoted a chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2019 which stated that, in 2016, the “Pakistan Government” had sent ₹1.1 crore to Shah to be distributed among the people who attacked security forces with stones after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter. Over 70 civilians were killed during the protests that followed Wani’s killing.
The NIA said that the money sent from Pakistan clearly showed that Shah, along with others, “is at the centre of the conspiracy to promote lawlessness and violence in Jammu and Kashmir orchestrated with an intention to secure secession of J&K from the Union of India.”
