Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced Tuesday that the Jammu Kashmir Islamic Political Party, Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Democratic League, and Kashmir Freedom Front cut ties from the separatist group Hurriyat Conference. Asserting the growing public trust in the Indian Constitution, Amit Shah said, "Three more organizations, namely Jammu Kashmir Islamic Political Party, Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Democratic League, and Kashmir Freedom Front, disassociate themselves from the Hurriyat. This is a significant demonstration of the people's trust in the Constitution within the valley." The home minister added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a united and strong India is further strengthened, as 11 organisations have now rejected separatism and pledged support to the Constitution. In March, two groups of Hurriyat – J&K People’s Movement and Democratic Political Movement also announced they have distanced themselves from separatism. Earlier, the Centre banned two other groups, which are constituents of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference for five years for their alleged anti-national activities, “supporting terrorism and fuelling secessionist activities”. The organisations are Awami Action Committee (AAC) headed by Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) led by Mohammad Abbas Ansari. In separate notifications, the MHA said the AAC and the JKIM are indulging in unlawful activities that are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country. Considering all the facts available, the MHA declared both groups outlawed for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, according to the notifications.
