Police in the Indian-administered Kashmir region carried out raids on book stores after the government banned 25 books, over what it called "exciting secessionism."

The government accused the authors of the banned books — who include Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy, as well as academics — of "playing a critical role in misguiding the youth" against India.

Earlier in February, authorities carried out a similar raid, seizing books including Islamic literature from homes and shops in the Muslim-majority region, disputed between India and neighboring Pakistan since their 1947 independence from British rule.

How did Kashmiri separatists respond to the book ban?

"The operation targeted materials promoting secessionist ideologies or glorifying terrorism," police said in a social media statement. "Public cooperation is solicited to uphold peace and integrity."

Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the ban, saying it "only exposes the insecurities and limited understanding" of the Indian government, also calling the decision "authoritarian."

"Banning books by scholars and reputed historians will not erase historical facts," Farooq posted on his X account.

Why is India banning books in Kashmir?

Kashmir saw last year the first local elections since New Delhi stripped the region of its special status in 2019 and divided it into two territories.

The vote brought to power a largely powerless government, with India's top administrator in Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, still wielding substantial authority in the region as the national government's representative.

The order banning the books was issued on the sixth anniversary of India's imposition of direct rule over Kashmir.

India has been accused of repression and human rights abuses in Kashmir in an attempt to silence dissent.

Edited by: Rana Taha