MHA Cracks Down on Awami Action Committee: 5-Year Ban Imposed

The Ministry of Home Affairs has declared the Awami Action Committee of Jammu and Kashmir unlawful under the Unlawful Activities Act, imposing a five-year ban. Accused of supporting terrorism and anti-India propaganda, the AAC faces allegations of inciting violence and threatening national integrity.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) took decisive action on Tuesday by labeling the Jammu and Kashmir-based Awami Action Committee (AAC) as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967. This action imposes an immediate five-year ban on the organization, which is accused of endangering the country's sovereignty and security.

Official sources indicate that the AAC, led by Umar Farooq, is alleged to have supported terrorist activities while promoting separatist ideology in Jammu and Kashmir. The government cited the group's financial backing of secessionist operations and its overt disregard for India's constitutional framework, highlighting numerous cases against AAC leaders for inciting violence and anti-national activities.

The notification detailed previous allegations, including a charge sheet from the National Investigation Agency in 2018, which implicated AAC spokesperson Aftab Ahmad Shah in a conspiracy against the state. Several historical police cases against the AAC emphasized its role in promoting unrest. Failure to curtail the group's influence, the government warned, poses ongoing threats to public order and national security.