The counter-intelligence unit of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday arrested three persons associated with publishing companies over the publication and circulation of two books that glorified separatist and militant leaders.
Those arrested are Inderpaul Singh of Oberoi Book Service in Jammu, and Amardeep Singh and Girish Arora of Noida-based Dominant Publishers.
Police said the arrests followed coordinated operations carried out by counter-intelligence officers in Jammu and Noida.
The action relates to the books "Personalities and Legends of J&K" and "Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir", which were withdrawn from school libraries earlier this month following objections that they contained content glorifying separatist figures.
Police said the role of the publishers in the publication of the "highly inappropriate content" is under investigation.
Following the withdrawal of the books, a case was registered under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections related to abetment, criminal conspiracy, endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, promoting enmity and publishing false statements. A case was also registered under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Officials said counter-intelligence personnel had searched the premises of both publishing houses on July 6 and that the investigation is continuing.
A total of 251 copies of the books had been distributed to schools in Jammu, Ramban, Udhampur, and Baramulla districts. Officials said all copies have since been withdrawn.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has also ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter.
The action followed objections from the BJP, Congress, and other political parties, which alleged that the books glorified separatism. According to officials, one of the books referred to Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat as a martyr and described Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party founder Shabir Shah as a leading campaigner for Kashmiri independence.