AMN / NEW DELHI

The Centre has banned the Jamat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir for five years under anti-terror law on grounds that it is in close touch with terror outfits and is expected to escalate secessionist movement in the state.

A notification, banning the group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday after a high-level meeting on security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The notification said the Centre is of the opinion that the Jamaat is in close touch with terror outfits and is supporting extremism and terrorism in Jammu and Kahsmir and elsewhere.

The notification comes barely a few days after the Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested around 100 cadres of the group in the state. I

t said, Jamaat has been indulging in activities intended to disrupt the territorial integrity of India.

The crackdown come after February 14 terrorist attack in Pulwama, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.