Ban on Jamaat in J&K to rein in over-ground workers, curb stone-pelting

NEW DELHI: The ban on Jamaat-e-Islami J&K is expected to rein in over-ground workers (OGWs) network of terrorist outfits, particularly Hizbul Mujahideen, in south Kashmir, apart from applying brakes on extreme radicalisation and recruitment of locals for terror-related activities, according to the central security establishment.

Recent inputs from the ground suggested that the line between active cadres of the Jamaat and terror operatives/facilitators in J&K had blurred to such an extent that it became inevitable to ban Jamaat-e-Islami with immediate effect. Sources put the number of such cadres at around 2,000, though the overall Jamaat following in south Kashmir is described as large enough to cover one-third of its population.

Sources in the home ministry said JeI (J&K), the parent of both Hizbul Mujahideen and Hurriyat, is primarily responsible for propagation of separatist and radical ideology in the Valley, apart from providing all kind of support to Hizbul Mujahideen, its terror offspring, in terms of recruits, funding, ferrying of arms, providing shelter, logistics etc.

With the banning of Jamaat, its top leaders and cadres detained a few days back in J&K will now be formally arrested. “The Jamaat has always maintained a pro-Pakistan stance and gets its funding from Pakistan chapter of the Jamaat-e-Islami patronised by ISI, or ‘zakaat’ collected from within J&K in name of religious activities but diverted for anti-India and subversive activities,” said an officer.

The strong presence of Hizbul in the area of influence of JeI (J&K) — terror hotbeds of Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam — is a clear reflection of its separatist and radical ideology, said an officer.

The assessment here is that banning the Jamaat in J&K will go a long way in curbing mobilisation of locals for stone-pelting protests, including at encounter sites. Given the close ties between some Hurriyat separatists and JeI, the banning of the latter will weaken the separatists’ space, said a home ministry official.

With Hurriyat reflecting Jamaat’s pro-Pakistan stance, there is a debate within the security establishment on whether Hurriyat should be banned as well, particularly Tehreek-e-Hurriyat headed by S A S Geelani. “However, there are pros and cons of the same. A ban may leave no Kashmiri representatives to consult were the government to want talks for a political solution. On the other hand, with Hurriyat leadership showing little interest in talks and involved in terror funding instead, there is some merit in slapping a ban on them,” said an officer.