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Yasin Malik, a prominent separatist leader currently serving a life sentence, has made a significant declaration before the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) tribunal. Malik, the founder of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front-Yasin (JKLF-Y), has asserted that he renounced violence and embraced a peaceful approach to resistance in 1994. This declaration, which he referred to as a transformation to a 'Gandhian' path, aims to influence the tribunal's assessment of the ban imposed on JKLF-Y, potentially impacting the future of the organization.
The UAPA tribunal, however, has recently declared JKLF-Y an 'unlawful organization' for the next five years. The ruling questioned the group's legitimacy and highlighted its connections with top political and government figures since 1994. Despite Malik's claims of non-violence, the tribunal's decision reflects the ongoing concerns regarding the group's activities.
Malik, who is imprisoned in Tihar Jail, is a key accused in the 1990 killing of four Indian Air Force personnel in Rawalpora, Srinagar. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in May 2022 in a terror financing case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). His recent statement, while a significant declaration, does not negate the charges against him and his history within the armed struggle in Kashmir.
Malik's declaration of non-violence and his embrace of Gandhian principles are noteworthy developments in the ongoing conflict in Kashmir. However, the UAPA tribunal's decision to declare JKLF-Y an unlawful organization indicates the complex and multi-faceted nature of the situation. The future of JKLF-Y and the path towards a peaceful resolution in Kashmir remains uncertain, with Malik's declaration serving as a potential turning point in the ongoing struggle.
Source: 'Gave up arms, adopted Gandhian way of...': Separatist Yasin Malik in court