The Centre on Sunday declared pro-Pakistan separatist group Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jammu and Kashmir (TeH), founded by late hardline separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani, as an ‘unlawful association’ for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The action was announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The action is in response to the group’s involvement in fomenting terrorism and spreading anti-India sentiment within the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The ‘Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, J&K (TeH) has been declared an ‘Unlawful Association’ under UAPA.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…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 31, 2023
In a gazetted notification, issued on Sunday, Additional Secretary Praveen Vashista said the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat is known for “its involvement in fomenting terrorism and anti-India propaganda for fueling the secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir”.
“The objective of TeH is to separate Jammu and Kashmir from India and establish Islamic rule in Jammu and Kashmir,” said the notification read.
“In exercising powers conferred by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the central government officially declared the TeH, Jammu and Kashmir, as an unlawful association for the next five years, effective immediately,” the notification read
The outfit was founded and led by late Syed Ali Shah Geelani in 2004 and succeeded by Masarat Alam Bhat, has been known for its anti-India and pro-Pakistan stance. Bhat, currently incarcerated, also headed the banned organisation, Muslim League of Jammu and Kashmir, which was declared unlawful earlier in December.