Effective for 2 years

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 27. After dilly-dallying for the past few months, the Centre today banned the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

The ban, notified by the Union Home Ministry under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, will remain effective initially for two years. Under the Act, the validity of the ban would have to be determined by a Tribunal.

``We had collected information about the organisation. Nature of this organisation had become apparent and preliminary information sent by various State Governments only confirmed its tendencies,'' the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K.Advani, told reporters this evening.

When his attention was drawn towards violent protests in Lucknow in the wake of the ban, Mr. Advani said: ``The Government will deal with it firmly.''

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