Why is it in the news?

• The Government has declared ‘Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jammu and Kashmir (TeH)’ as an ‘Unlawful Association’ for five years under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967.

More about the news

• Separatist political party in Jammu and Kashmir, founded by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
• Accused by the government of being involved in anti-national, secessionist activities, supporting terrorism, and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in J&K.

About UAPA Act

• Enacted in 1967, empowers the government to probe and prosecute individuals and organizations for acts of terrorism.
• Provides the authority to designate an organization as an “unlawful association” or a “terrorist organization,” and an individual as a “terrorist.”
• Scope includes declaring an association or group “unlawful” if involved in activities supporting the cession or secession of a part of India’s territory, or questioning the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Under Section 3 of the UAPA Act, the government has the power to declare an association “unlawful.”