Police on Wednesday raided the residences of several top separatist leaders, including a former Hurriyat chairman, as part of an ongoing crackdown on banned organizations.
The searches came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that separatism had become a thing of the past in Kashmir, following two Hurriyat leaders distancing themselves from separatist activities.
A police spokesperson said police today conducted extensive raids at multiple locations in Srinagar and Sopore in connection with cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The cases pertain to proscribed organizations, including the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference (Bhat Group), the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League (Masrat Alam Group), and the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (Shabir Shah Group).
“The raids targeted individuals suspected of involvement in these banned outfits and were carried out in furtherance of investigations into several cases registered last year in different police stations in Srinagar,” he said.
According to police, searches were conducted at the residences of former Hurriyat chairman Professor Abdul Gani Bhat in Botingoo, Sopore, and his Srinagar residence in Wazir Bagh, Rajbagh. A raid was also carried out at the residence of jailed separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah.
Additionally, police searched seven locations across Srinagar, targeting individuals allegedly involved in unlawful activities, including jailed leaders Masrat Alam Bhat and Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat alias Gugga sahib, among others.
Police said the searches were conducted after securing warrants from the Special Judge designated under the NIA Act in Srinagar. In compliance with legal procedures, all raids were carried out in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses.
"The investigation aims to dismantle the remnants of the secessionist and terrorist ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir by identifying and taking legal action against individuals engaged in such activities," police said.