The Union Home Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on December 31 declared Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jammu and Kashmir (TeH) an ‘Unlawful Association’ under Section 3 of the anti-terror law- the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). TeH is one of the constituents of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) founded by separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani who died in 2021.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X that “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 fuel secessionism in J&K”.
He added that “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, any individual or organization found involved in anti-India activities will be thwarted forthwith.”
MHA said that many criminal cases have been registered against this organisation under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act, RPC (Ranbir Penal Code) and IPC (Indian Penal Code) etc.
MHA’s notification said that TeH is known for its involvement in fomenting terrorism and anti-India propaganda for fuelling the secessionist activities in J&K and the leaders and members of the outfit have been involved in raising funds through various sources including Pakistan and its proxy organisations for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting terrorist activities, sustained stone-pelting on security Forces in J&K.
“The TeH and its members by their activities show sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country...members are paying tributes to terrorists who were killed in encounters with security forces and its members have been involved in supporting terrorist activities with an intent to create a reign of terror in the country, thereby endangering the security and public order of the State,” MHA said.
It said TeH indulges in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, security and communal harmony of the country and the outfit never believed in a democratic system of governance and TeH leadership gave repeated calls to boycott assembly elections on multiple occasions.
The ministry said that that if there is no immediate curb or control of unlawful activities of TeH, it will use the opportunity to continue advocating the secession of Jammu and Kashmir form the Union of India while disputing its accession to the Union of India, continue with the anti-national activities which are detrimental to the territorial integrity, security and sovereignty of the country; and will continue to propagate false narrative and anti-national sentiments among the people of J&K with the intention to cause disaffection against India and disrupt public order.
Central Government directed that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 UAPA, have effect for a period of five years from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
