The Central Government has issued a directive to the Jammu and Kashmir administration, instructing them to take immediate action in seizing all assets, freezing bank accounts, and securing the finances associated with the pro-Pakistan separatist coalition Tehreek-e-Hurriyat and the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir, led by separatist Masarat Alam. This move follows the recent government ban imposed on both organizations.

The Tehreek-e-Hurriyat organization was founded by the late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The Union Home Ministry officially declared the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) as an unlawful outfit on December 27, 2023, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Similarly, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jammu and Kashmir (TeH), has been banned on December 31, 2023, under the same law, as announced by the ministry.

The notification states that, in the exercise of powers granted by section 42 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the central government directs the state governments and Union Territory administration to exercise all powers conferred upon it under section 7 and section 8 of the mentioned Act concerning the aforementioned unlawful association.

Section 7 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) grants the authority to prohibit the use of funds associated with an unlawful association, while Section 8 provides the power to designate locations used for the activities of an unlawful association.

The Home Ministry, in its declaration of a five-year ban on Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH), stated that the organization was actively involved in fostering terrorism and disseminating anti-India propaganda within the Union Territory.

As per the ministry, TeH's primary objective is to achieve the separation of Jammu and Kashmir from India and establish Islamic rule in the region. The group, originally founded by Geelani, saw Masarat Alam Bhat succeeding him. Bhat, recognized for his engagement in anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda, is currently detained.

The group was started by Geelani and later headed by Masarat Alam Bhat. Bhat was known for spreading anti-India and pro-Pakistan ideas, and is currently in jail. Additionally, the government has declared Bhat's outfit, the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir, which he leads, as a banned organization. This action comes in response to the group's involvement in anti-national and secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Image source: The Economic Times