Hurriyat's Srinagar Office Sees Signboard Vanish Amid Talk Of Ban

In June, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked stakeholders operating in Kashmir Valley to keep a check on growing radicalisation.

The Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, the extremist Hurriyat Conference faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, today removed its signboard at the group's head office at its leader's residence in Srinagar's Hyderpora area. The development came amid indications that both the moderate and hard-line blocs of the separatist entity could soon be banned by the Centre. "They themselves removed the boards fearing action," a senior government official said, adding that the ban would be under Section 3 (1) of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Under this section of the Act, if the Central government is of the opinion that any association is, or has, become an unlawful association, it may be notified as unlawful. "A proposal has been mooted as per the Centre's policy of zero tolerance for terrorism," the official said. In June, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked stakeholders operating in Kashmir Valley to keep a check on growing radicalisation. Following this, a number of raids were carried out in Jammu and Kashmir by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).