The Centre on Friday declared the Indian Mujahideen outfit a terrorist organisation. The IM is suspected of having a role in various terror attacks in the country, including the Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Delhi serial blasts. The IM has now been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
With the IM being declared a terrorist organisation, there are a total of 35 banned outfits in the country.
The IM is a shadow outfit of the banned SIMI, and the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, which is believed to be under the direct control of Pakistan’s ISI. “The schedule to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, contains the list of terrorist organisations. The government of India has issued an order adding Indian Mujahideen, and all its formations and front organisations, to this list,” an official release said. The Centre’s decision will be placed before a tribunal headed by a Delhi high court judge within a month for adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the association unlawful. The IM has carried out over 10 blasts in various parts of the country, killing nearly 500 people, a senior home ministry official said.
Amir Reza Khan is believed to be the founding member of the IM. The IM modules at present are believed to be headed by Iqbal Bhatkal of north Karnataka. A district magistrate is now empowered to seize any land or house belonging to IM members. Anyone associated with the outfit is liable for imprisonment ranging from two years to seven years.