J&K Police attach banned Tehreek-e-Hurriyat headquarters under UAPA
Srinagar, Oct 1: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday attached the headquarters of the banned outfit Tehreek-e-Hurriyat in Srinagar under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The move is part of an ongoing investigation into activities deemed unlawful and subversive by the authorities.
The office, located at Rehmatabad, Hyderpora, was attached by the Police from Budgam under Section 25 of the UAPA, in connection with an FIR registered last year at the Budgam Police Station.
The premises, a three-storey building, had served as the central office of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat since its inception and was situated within the residential compound of the late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
“In a major action against secessionist and terrorist networks, Police from Budgam attached the head office of the banned Tehreek-e-Hurriyat organisation at Rehmatabad, Hyderpora, under Section 25 of the UAPA. The attached property comprises a three-storey building, which was being used as the office of the banned outfit,” Police said.
Tehreek-e-Hurriyat was formed in 2004 by Geelani after he split from his parent organisation, Jamaat-e-Islami.
The outfit advocated for Kashmir’s separation from India and was known for its hardline stance. It was officially declared an unlawful organisation by the Centre in 2023.
Geelani, a staunch proponent of separatism and a former Member of Legislative Assembly, had been under house detention for more than a decade until his death at the age of 92 in 2021.
His successor, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, died in hospital while he was in custody at a Jammu jail in 2022.
“Acting on collected evidence and with due approval from the competent authority, the property was attached as per legal provisions,” the Police said. “This action marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation against unlawful and subversive activities and reflects the firm resolve of the Police to neutralise threats to national security and maintain peace in the region.”
The Police have reiterated their commitment to intensifying action against organisations and individuals involved in activities deemed detrimental to India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity.
The attachment of the TeH headquarters is part of a broader push by the administration to curb the remnants of the separatist ecosystem in J&K, particularly after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
