Days after the crackdown on pro-Pakistan separatists in Kashmir, the centre has banned the Jamaat-e-Islami that was allegedly engaged in radicalising the youth in the valley.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in its order on Thursday night, said that the Jamaat was indulging in “unlawful activities”. More than 100 activists of the Jamaat, including its chief, were arrested earlier this week.

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Separatist leaders and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti have criticised the ban on the Jamaat.

Mehbooba took to Twitter to “condemn” the ban. She tweeted; “Democracy is a battle of ideas , crackdown  followed by banning of Jammat Islami (jk) is  condemnable , another example of high handedness and muscular approach of GOI to deal with political  issue of J&k”.

Democracy is a battle of ideas , crackdown followed by banning of Jammat Islami (jk) is condemnable , another example of high handedness and muscular approach of GOI to deal with political issue of J&k .

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) March 1, 2019

Separatist Mirwaiz Umar Farooq asked people to protest against the ban.

The notification on the ban was issued by the MHA after a high-level meeting on security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The notification said that the Jamaat was in close touch with militants and was supporting militancy.

Meanwhile, clashes broke out in Nawakadal in downtown Srinagar where miscreants pelted stones at security personnel. A woman was injured in stone pelting.