Schools, mosques, orphanages kept outside scope of seizures, sealing: J-K govt

Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday said schools, mosques and orphanages have so far been kept outside the scope of seizure and sealing in the wake of the ban imposed by the Centre on Jamaat-e-Islami (Jammu and Kashmir).

Jammu and Kashmir government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said, "Schools, mosques and orphanages have been kept outside the scope of seizures and sealing in the wake of the ban imposed by the Government of India on Jamaat-e-Islami, J-K."

"Action is being taken against offices, assets, properties and other equipment of the banned organisation," Kansal said in a statement, adding that the ban is for five years and subsequent orders to do so have been issued by the state government and the Deputy Commissioners.

Jamaat-e-Islami (Jammu and Kashmir), which has been banned by the Central government, is the main organisation responsible for the propagation of separatist and radical ideology in Kashmir valley, informed government sources on Friday.

Sources asserted that the banned organisation has nothing to do with Jamaat-e-Islami.

The separatist organisation, Jamaat-e-Islami (J-K) had enacted its own constitution in 1953, added sources.

These key details have emerged a day after the central government had declared Jamaat-e- Islami, Jammu, and Kashmir, as an 'unlawful association' under Section 3 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

According to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification issued on Friday, "The Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, has been indulging in activities, which are prejudicial to internal security and public order, and have the potential of disrupting the unity and integrity of the country. Hence in regard to the activities of the JeI, it is necessary to declare the JeI to be an unlawful association with immediate effect."

The central government has declared the group an "unlawful association" for a period of five years.

Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir police had arrested several Jamaat leaders as part of a crackdown.