Monday, 09 August 2021 | PNS | New Delhi
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday conducted searches at multiple locations in 14 districts of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) in connection with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) terror funding case.
The searches were conducted in conjunction with the Jammu & Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at 56 locations in Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar and Rajouri districts of the Valley.
The agency conducted the searches at the premises of office-bearers of the banned association, its members and also offices of trusts purportedly run by the JeI. During the searches, various incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized from the premises of the suspects.
The case was registered by the NIA on February 5 this year following an order from the Union Home Ministry relating to separatist and secessionist activities of the JeI, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, even after its proscription on February 28, 2019, the agency said.
“The members of the organisation have been collecting funds domestically and abroad through donations particularly in the form of Zakat, Mowda and Bait-ul-Mal purportedly to further charity and other welfare activities, but these funds are instead being used for violent and secessionist activities,” it said in a statement.
The funds raised by JeI are also being channelised to outlawed terrorist organisations like Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Tayabba (LeT) and others through well organised networks of JeI cadres. JeI has also been motivating impressionable youth of Kashmir and recruiting new members (Rukuns) in Jammu and Kashmir to participate in disruptive secessionist activities.
