The National Investigation Agency (NIA) discussed the growth of Hizb-ut-Tahrir in India at a two-day anti-terrorism conference. Counterterrorism experts from various Indian states were also part of the deliberations. Hizb-ut-Tahrir, a Lebanon-based fundamentalist group, was recently placed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in India after its sleeper cells were discovered in several states. The NIA probe revealed that the group was clandestinely recruiting and strengthening its cadre in India with the intention of establishing a Sharia-based Islamic nation through violent activities. Case studies presented during the conference included the module of Hizb-ut-Tahrir busted by the Madhya Pradesh anti-terrorist squad, which led to the arrest of 17 members. An Hizb-ut-Tahrir sleeper cell was found to be operational in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
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