SIU searches homes of six HuT sympathisers in Thanjavur

Special Intelligence Unit (SIU) personnel on Tuesday searched the residences of six people in Thanjavur who are alleged to be sympathisers of Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT), an outfit that seeks to establish a global Islamic State and Caliphate.

The searches were carried out by an SIU team headed by Thanjavur Deputy Superintendent of Police Charles, after search orders were obtained from a court.

According to the police, inquiries indicated that the six individuals were actively associated with the activities of HuT, whose stated objective is the establishment of a global Islamic State and Caliphate, including in India, by toppling democratically elected governments through jihad and terrorist activities involving citizens.

The police said the movement's aims pose a serious threat to the country's democratic order and internal security, as HuT is involved in radicalisation, in motivating impressionable youth to join terrorist organisations such as ISIS, and in raising funds for terror-related activities.

Citing these grounds, the Ministry of Home Affairs had declared HuT a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2024.