From Hurriyat’s Heyday to Raids: Govt Tightens Grip on Kashmir Separatists

Srinagar: A joint team of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) on Monday conducted a raid at the residence of Mohammad Amin Parray, son of Ghulam Nabi Parray, in Kundalan village of Kulgam district.

The raid was carried out in connection with an ongoing investigation registered under FIR No. 09/2024, pertaining to alleged unlawful activities under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), officials said.

Parray has been identified as an associate of the separatist banned group Hurriyat Conference (Geelani faction), also known as Hurriyat (G), which has been under increased scrutiny by security agencies for its links to activities considered unlawful by the Indian government.

Authorities have not disclosed specific details regarding today's raids stating only that “further investigation is underway.”

The raid marks the latest in a series of actions targeting individuals linked to the banned Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of banned  separatist organisations in Kashmir that has faced intense scrutiny since 2019.

Residents of Kundalan reported a heavy police presence, with officers cordoning off the area and conducting a meticulous search of Parray’s home.

“They arrived in many vehicles before and left after several hours,” said a neighbour, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“We don’t know what they found, but it’s clear they were looking for something specific.”

Hurriyat Conference, formed in 1993, has long been a polarizing force in Kashmir. Comprising 26 outfits at its peak, it aimed to represent the Kashmiri separatist voice, advocating for either independence or merger with Pakistan.

Geelani faction, led by the late Syed Ali Shah Geelani until his death in 2021, was known for its hardline pro-Pakistan stance. Hurriyat (G) frequently called for shutdowns and protests.

The group’s influence, however, has waned significantly in recent years due to a relentless government crackdown.

Since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Indian government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward separatist groups, including Hurriyat.

In 2019, the Centre banned Jamaat-e-Islami and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), both former Hurriyat constituents, under the UAPA.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other agencies have arrested dozens of its leaders and cadres, accusing them of terror funding, stone-pelting, and waging war against the state.

Official data is scarce, but estimates suggest over 50 Hurriyat leaders and activists have been detained since 2019, including hurriyat leaders like Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Shahid-ul-Islam,Mehrajuddin Kalwal and Nayeem Khan (of the Hurriyat's Geelani faction) and Farooq Ahmed Dar alias 'Bitta Karate'.

In 2023 alone, srinagar police detained 10 individuals, including former JKLF members, for allegedly conspiring to revive Hurriyat with Pakistan-based handlers. Assets linked to the group, such as its Srinagar office, have been seized, and bank accounts frozen.

In 2017, Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested separatist leader Shabir Shah in a terror financing case.

In 2014, In a related crackdown on money laundering, the ED also arrested Hurriyat leader Mohammad Akbar Bhat,Fatima Shah  and Sabzzar Ahmad Shaikh for selling MBBS seats in Pakistan and using the proceeds to fund terrorism.