India declared the ‘Awami Action Committee’ and ‘Jammu and Kashmir Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen’ ‘Unlawful Association’ for five years on Wednesday.
Many political groups were labeled “unlawful associations” by the Indian government last year, bringing the total to 14 in the occupied zone. The FO also criticized the decision.
The ‘Awami Action Committee’ is led by political and religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari, another political and religious leader, created the ‘Jammu and Kashmir Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen’ and led it until his 2022 death.
Foreign Office spokeswoman Shafqat Ali Khan said the current decision brings the number of banned Kashmiri political parties and organizations to 16.
Political party and organization bans are another example of the Indian government’s harsh IIOJK policy. It aims to repress political activity and opposition. He also noted its contempt for democratic principles and international human rights legislation.
The spokesperson urged the Indian government to free all political detainees, abolish restrictions on Kashmiri political parties, and implement UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.
