Centre bans Kashmir-based Tehreek-e-Hurriyat—once headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani
What's the story
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday declared the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH)—an outfit of separatists in Jammu and Kashmir—an "unlawful association" under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. This announcement was made by Home Minister Amit Shah on X, saying that TeH was found involved in forbidden activities to separate J&K from India and establish Islamic rule.
Statement
TeH was found spreading anti-India propaganda: Shah
Announcing the decision, Shah said the TeH was found spreading anti-India propaganda and continuing terror activities to "fuel secessionism in J&K." He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, any anti-India activities by an individual or organization would be thwarted. The group will remain banned for five years under the provisions of the UAPA.
Twitter Post
Home Minister Shah posted announcement on X
The ‘Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, J&K (TeH) has been declared an 'Unlawful Association' under UAPA.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 31, 2023
The outfit is involved in forbidden activities to separate J&K from India and establish Islamic rule. The group is found spreading anti-India propaganda and continuing terror activities to…
History
MHA banned Muslim League J&K recently
The order comes days after the MHA declared the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam Bhat faction) or MLJK-MA as an "unlawful association" under the UAPA and banned it for five years. Alam has remained in detention in Jammu and Kashmir for the past 20 years, with brief periods of release. Since 2019, he has been lodged in Delhi's Tihar jail.
About
Know more about TeH
TeH was founded by hardcore pro-Pakistan separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in 2004. It is a hardline faction of the All Hurriyat Conference (APHC), J&K's separatist amalgam. It was previously headed by Geelani, who was succeeded by Alam. The other two factions of the APHC are led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and jailed separatist leader Shabir Shah.