Government bans two affiliates of al Qaeda and IS under UAPA

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has banned al Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) under anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. AQIS is an affiliate of al Qaeda and ISKP is Afghanistan wing of Islamic State (IS).

Key Facts

al Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS): It is terrorist organisation, which has committed acts of terrorism in India’s neighbouring countries. It has been promoting and encouraging terrorist acts on Indian interests in Indian sub-continent. It has been attempting radicalisation and recruitment of youth from India. It has been pushing several provocative messages on social media platforms. It was created in August 2014 and is led by an Indian, Maulana Asim Umar, who was later identified as Uttar Pradesh resident Sanaul Haq.
Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP): It promotes and encourages terrorism in Indian sub-continent. It has been committing terrorist acts to consolidate its position by recruiting youth for global jihad and to achieve objective of establishing its own caliphate by overthrowing democratically elected governments. It considers India and Indian interests as its targets and is engaged in radicalising and recruiting Indian youth for terrorist activities. ISKP came into existence in 2015 and mainly comprises defectors from Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP).

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967

UAPA is anti-terrorist law aimed at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India. Its main objective is to make powers available for dealing with activities directed against integrity and sovereignty of India. It bans certain terrorist associations, punishes membership and association with such organizations and punishes terrorist activities. The law been legislated to impose reasonable restrictions in interests of sovereignty and integrity of India on exercise of freedom of speech and expression, to assemble peaceably without arms and to form associations.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2018