Srinagar: Omar Abdullah has questioned the Centre’s move to ban Yasin Malik-led Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) under anti-terror law after a “systematic crackdown”.

Taking to Twitter, Abdullah said, “For 4 1/2 years Yasin Malik isn’t a threat, Jama-at-i-Islami isn’t a threat, Pakistan National Day is a function that must be attended. Now suddenly once an election is announced an immediate u-turn is executed.”

The Central government has banned Yasin Malik-led Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) under anti-terror law after a systematic crackdown on the separatist leader.

The outfit has been banned for alleged promotion of secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The organisation has been banned under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and its chief Yasin Malik is under arrest and at present lodged in Jammu’s Kot Balwal jail.

This is the second organisation in Jammu and Kashmir which has been banned this month. Earlier, the Centre had banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir.

Malik was taken into preventive custody by the police on February 22 as the cops apprehended him from his Maisuma residence in Srinagar. He was then detained in the Kothibagh police station in Srinagar.

In the crackdown, the CBI also filed a transfer application in Jammu and Kashmir High Court to reopen the 30-year-old case against terrorist turned separatist and Pakistan proxy Yasin Malik.

The case relates to the killing of 4 unarmed IAF officers in Jan 1990 in Srinagar and also kidnapping of Rubiya Saeed, daughter of former Home Minister of India Mufti Mohd Saeed and Mehbooba Mufti’s sister.