Tehreek-e-Hurriyat banned by centre

Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH), a separatist party founded by late Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Ashraf Sehrai in 2004, was on Sunday banned by the union government on charges of "fomenting" terrorism and anti-India propaganda, "fueling" secessionist activities and indulging in activities to establish Islamic Rule in Jammu and Kashmir among others.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the ban for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 with Home Minister Amit Shah saying that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, any individual or organisation found involved in anti-India activities will be thwarted forthwith.

"The Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jammu and Kashmir(TeH) has been declared an 'Unlawful Association' under UAPA. The outfit is involved in forbidden activities to separate Jammu and Kashmir from India and establish Islamic rule. The group is found spreading anti-India propaganda and continuing terror activities to fuel secessionism in J&K.

On December 27, the government had imposed a similar ban on Masarat Alam faction of the 'Muslim League Jammu Kashmir' (MLJK-MA) for its "anti-national and secessionist activities" in Jammu and Kashmir by supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in the valley.

According to the MHA notification in the official gazette, the TeH's objective is to separate Jammu and Kashmir from India and establish Islamic rule. It is known for its involvement in "fomenting" terrorism and anti-India propaganda for "fueling" the secessionist activities,

It said the leaders and members of the TeH have been involved in raising funds through various sources, including Pakistan and its proxy organisations for perpetrating unlawful activities, including sustained stone-pelting on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

The notification highlighted that the TeH members are paying tributes to terrorists who were killed in encounters 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.

"...The TeH and its leaders and members, have been indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, security and communal harmony of the country...the TeH never believed in a democratic system of governance and TeH leadership gave repeated calls to boycott assembly elections on multiple occasions," the notification said.

It said, if there is no immediate curb or control of unlawful activities of the outfit, it will use this opportunity to "continue advocating the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India while disputing its accession to the Union of India".

The TeH will also "continue propagating false narrative and anti-national sentiments among the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the intention to cause disaffection against India and disrupt public order", the notification added.