The case concerns ‘raising funds and using them to carry out secessionist and separatist activities’
The National Investigative Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted searches of 10 locations in Kashmir, including the office of daily Greater Kashmir and houses of two human rights activists and a journalist, in a case of “fundraising and use of funds for secessionist and separatist activities.”
An NIA spokesman said the 10 searches were carried out in Srinagar and Bandipora, and at one location in Bengaluru.
“These searches were conducted in relation to a case involving certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and trusts that raise funds in India and abroad on behalf of charitable activities and then use those funds to carry out secessionist and separatist activities in J&K, ”the spokesperson said.
Cool case
On October 8, the NIA registered a new case under Section 120B, 124 A of the IPC and Sections 17, 18, 22A, 22C, 38, 39 and 40 of the AU (P) A, 1967 “upon receiving information credible that certain NGOs and trusts are collecting funds through so-called donations and commercial contributions, etc. and they are using these funds for secessionist and terrorist activities at J&K ”.
According to the NIA, the registered facilities include the residence and office of Khurram Parvez, coordinator of the J&K Civil Society Coalition, his associates Parvez Ahmad Bukhari, a journalist, Parvez Ahmad Matta, and associate Swati Sheshadri from Bengaluru.
“Parveena Ahanger, president of the Association of Parents of Missing Persons (APDPK), and the offices of the NGO Athrout and Greater Kashmir Trust were also registered,” the NIA said.
Several incriminating electronic documents and devices have been seized, the NIA spokesperson said. “More research is being done,” he added.
Sources said the home of a Hurriyat activist was searched in Bandipora, in northern Kashmir.
Mehbooba condemns the riots
The president of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti, condemned the searches. “The NIA raids against human rights activist Parvez and the Greater Kashmir The Srinagar office is yet another example of the Indian government’s brutal crackdown on freedom of expression and dissent. Sadly, the NIA has become BJP’s favorite agency for intimidating and intimidating those who refuse to walk the line, ”he tweeted.
Kashmir Times Editor Anuradha Bhasin said the searches in the newspaper’s office and at Mr. Parvez’s home “are attempts to silence even our whispers.” “This comes a day after the unauthorized land laws. Can this be just a coincidence? “she tweeted.
Kashmir Publishers Guild Concern
The Kashmir Publishers Guild (KEG) has raised concerns about the NIA searches before dawn in the Greater Kashmir local.
“The Kashmiri media continues to be attacked, demonized, vilified and attacked by state and non-state actors for a long time. The Kashmiri media has proven to be a professional institution that maintained the objectivity of textbooks, while maintaining its core journalistic values. KEG expresses concern about the rising costs of being a journalist in Kashmir, ”said a KEG spokesperson.
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