Who is Yasin Malik? What is his role in Kashmir's militancy?

Yasin Malik is a separatist and leader of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Force (JKLF), a political organisation known for spearheading militancy in the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). He is known for advocating separation of Kashmir from both India and Pakistan. 

On May, 25, 2022 he was awarded a life imprisonment term by an NIA court in Delhi under several sections of Unlawful Activities and Prevention Act (UAPA). He was awarded the punishment in a case related to terrorism and secessionist activities in 2016-17.

Earlier this month, Malik had pleaded guilty in all the charges against him.

The NIA court sentenced Malik to life in two offences under Section 121 (waging war against the government of India) and Section 17 (raising funds for terrorist act) of the UAPA. 

The court also sentenced Yasin for five year jail term under Section 13 (unlawful act), 38 (offence related to membership of terrorism) and 39 (support given to terrorism) of UAPA. The court said that all the sentences will run concurrently. 

WHO IS YASIN MALIK?

Malik’s rise in Kashmir’s insurgency started after the rigged elections of 1987 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). It is said that in 1980, an altercation between a taxi driver and the Army led to Yasin becoming a rebel. 

After that, he actively began participating in the politics of J&K. He had formed a Tala Party and printed and distributed political material, causing disturbances in the state.

He was arrested and detained for four months after that. He was released in 1986. Upon his release from the jail, he renamed the party as Islamic Student League (ISL).

In the run-up to the 1987 legislative assembly elections, ISL did not contest on any seats as it didn’t believe in the constitution. ISL however, campaigned for the Muslim United Front (MUF), a political party that contested the elections.

Yasin Malik extensively campaigned for the Mohammad Yusuf Shah, an MUF candidate who was contesting against National Conference (NC) candidate Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah. 

NC, which contested in alliance with the Congress, was declared the winner on 62 seats and formed the government. 

Yusuf Shah and Yasin Malik were arrested by the police and imprisoned until the end of 1987 without any formal charge or court trial. 

This was the beginning of militancy in Jammu & Kashmir. The rigged elections of 1987 is mostly seen by as a trigger for Kashmir insurgency and high militancy. 

YASIN TURNS MILITANT

After his release from the prison, Malik crossed over to Pakistan, where he received armed training in Pakistani camps. 

He returned to the Valley in 1989 as a core member of JKLF. He formed the ‘HAJY’ group; Hamid Sheikh, Ashwaq Wani, Javed Ahmed Mir and Yasin Malik. The group JKLF was also accused of kidnapping Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of the then Union Home Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. 

But by March 1990, armed forces had started attacking JKLF separatists. By March 1990, Ashfaq Wani was killed. By August 1990, Yasin Malik was arrested. By 1992, scores of JKLF militants were killed and arrested.

After his release in 1994, Malik declared ceasefire. He pledged to follow Gandhian principles and the path of non-violence. 

ARRESTED UNDER PUBIC SAFETY ACT 

In October 1999, Malik was arrested by Indian authorities under the Public Safety Act (PSA). He was arrested again in 2002 under Prevention of Terrorism Act. In the last three decades, Malik has been arrested several times under various offences relating to violence in Jammu & Kashmir. 

Here is a timeline of the terror cases against Yasin Malik from 1990 till 2022: