New Delhi: The government  has banned the Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for another five years.

A government notification on Thursday said.

SIMI has been indulging in activities which are prejudicial to the security of the country and have the potential of disturbing peace and communal harmony and disrupting the secular fabric of the country, the notification said.

The Centre first banned SIMI in September 2001 and declared it as an unlawful association.

“The Centre is of the opinion that if the unlawful activities of the SIMI are not curbed and controlled immediately, it will take the opportunity to continue its subversive activities and re-organise its activists who are still absconding, disrupt the secular fabric of the country by polluting the minds of the people by creating communal disharmony, propagate anti-national sentiments, escalate secessionism by supporting militancy, and undertake activities which are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country.

“The government is also of the view that having regard to the activities of the SlMI, it is necessary to declare the SlMl to be an unlawful association with immediate effect.

“Therefore, while exercising the powers conferred by sub-sections (l) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act I967 (37 of I967), the central government hereby declares the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) as an “unlawful association” and directs that this notification shall subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act. have effect for a period of five years from January 31,” the government notification further said.