MHA seeks info on SIMI activities for continuation of ban; directs all state to keep watch on radical students group

NewsBharati    06-Jun-2018
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New Delhi, June 6: In a bid to take a final decision on the continuation of the ban imposed on Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), the Home Ministry on Tuesday sought an update from state governments on the activities of radical students group.

 

The Home Ministry in a communication to all the states said that the ban on SIMI under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act will end on 31st January next year, but if the central government finds that the group continues to indulge in unlawful activities, then the prohibition may be imposed afresh.

The Ministry further said that it is essential to keep a close watch on the activities of SIMI and its members. If the radical students' group and its members continue anti-India activities then a case of unlawful activity under the law is made out and fresh prohibition will be imposed.

Described as a terrorist organization, SIMI was first declared an outlawed outfit in 2001. Since then, it has been declared a banned group under the relevant law. The last time it was declared a banned outfit was under the UPA on February 1, 2014, for a period of five years. The ban was confirmed by a tribunal on July 30, 2014.

The SIMI group is responsible for a number of blasts in the country, including the alleged planting of multiple bombs inside suburban trains in Mumbai in 2006 which claimed 187 lives and injured over 700 people. The group was also blamed for a blast in Gujarat in 2008 in which at least 45 people were killed.

BACKGROUND:

The SIMI was established on April 25, 1977, in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh, and the organization allegedly works to the agenda of liberating India by converting it into an Islamic country.