Crackdown on terrorist-financing: NIA raids 26 locations in three states
As a continuation of Indian security agencies' crackdown on terrorist financing, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided about 26 premises owned by separatist leaders and businessmen across three states. The raids conduced in Haryana, J&K and Delhi aimed to uncover trails through which money was being channelled to fuel violence in the Kashmir valley. Let's found out what they uncovered!
What has happened till now?
The NIA had been in the process of investigating external financial aid to Kashmiri separatism and had been questioning separatist leaders. It recently filed an FIR against the conspiracy to fund separatist movements in the Kashmir valley. Among other things, the FIR alleged that funds coming from Pakistan fuelled activities including stone-pelting against security forces and torching of public property.
Where were the raids conducted?
Raids in Delhi were carried out in Greater Kailash and Rohini, in the residences of Manav Arora and two Kashmiri families respectively. Premises owned by Hawala dealers in Sonipat and Kundli in Haryana were also raided. Nayeem Ahmed Khan, provincial President of the Hurriyat Conference Farooq Ahmed Dar, leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front were amongst those raided in the valley.
Pakistan is involved
Nayeem Ahmed Khan was recently caught on tape, admitting that Pakistan fuelled violence in the Kashmir valley and backed violent activities including stone-pelting the security forces and torching of schools. He was suspended recently by veteran Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
What did they seize?
The agency seized over Rs. 2 crore from the premises of businessmen and separatist leaders subjected to these raids, along with jewellery worth Rs. 50 lakh. They further uncovered incriminating evidence including letterheads of organizations including Lashkar-e-Taiba, pen-drives and laptops While the bank accounts and lockers have been ordered to be frozen, the Agency will continue the investigation after questioning the suspected persons.
NIA raids trigger a war of words
Joint Resistance Leadership slammed the government of India for their desperate attempts to discredit Kashmir's freedom movement and its top leadership. The JRL statement further conveyed that the government had adopted these means (raiding) to cover up their failure to manage the violence. The J&K government retorted, warning the separatists against consequences that may come their way if they act out.
