Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 7: A day after the Government ordered the forfeiture of 25 books accused of promoting secessionist ideologies and inciting violence, Police today launched valley-wide searches of bookstores to ensure compliance with the ban.
Police teams visited several bookstores in Srinagar, Sopore, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Kulgam and other towns, verifying inventory and removing any listed titles that had been declared as “forfeited” under Section 98 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
An official said that the searches are being conducted as a preventive measure to ensure that no banned material remains in circulation or reaches the public domain. Bookstore owners have been directed to cooperate and immediately report any stock of the listed books. Click here to watch video
Srinagar Police in a statement said that in compliance with Order No. Home-ISA/223/2025-11(7655892) dated August 5, 2025, raids were conducted in various bookshops for search and forfeiture of banned books across the district under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The objective of the operation was to identify, seize and forfeit any literature that propagates or systematically disseminates false narratives, promotes secessionist ideologies, or otherwise poses a threat to the Sovereignty and Unity of India, a police spokesman said.
“These measures have been undertaken as part of a broader effort to counter subversive and anti-national content that could incite unrest or undermine National Integrity. The searches were conducted in a peaceful manner, and due legal process was followed,” police said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
