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NIA searches trust, NGOs, Hurriyat activist in J-K in terror funding case

National Investigation Agency raided several prominent offices in Srinagar including the head office of prominent English daily Greater Kashmir, home of internationally known human rights defender Khurram Parvez and a philanthropic organisation Athrout.'

NIA conducts fresh raids in Srinagar
NIA conducts fresh raids in Srinagar

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Published : Oct 28, 2020, 9:53 AM IST

Updated : Oct 28, 2020, 6:59 PM IST

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): The NIA on Wednesday searched 10 locations in the Valley and one in Bangalore in connection with a case related to NGOs and trusts diverting funds meant for charitable activities to secessionist and separatist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Several incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized, the National Investigation Agency said in a statement.

JK: NIA conducts fresh raids in Srinagar

Those whose premises were searched include Khurram Parvez (coordinator of the J&K Coalition of Civil Society), his associates Parvez Ahmad Bukhari, Parvez Ahmad Matta and Bangalore-based associate Swati Sheshadri as well as Parveena Ahanger, chairperson of the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP).

NIA conducts fresh raids in Srinagar

The offices of the NGO Athrout and GK Trust were also searched, the statement added.

Today (28/10/2020), NIA conducted searches at 10 locations in Srinagar and Bandipora and one location in Bangalore in connection with a case pertaining to certain so-called NGOs and Trusts raising funds in India and abroad in the name of charitable activities and then using those funds for carrying out secessionist and separatist activities in J&K, the agency said.

JK: NIA conducts fresh raids in Srinagar

The case was registered on October 8 under various sections of the IPC and the UAPA on receiving credible information that certain NGOs and Trusts are collecting funds domestically and abroad through so-called donations and business contributions and then using them to fund terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir, it said.

Officials said the NIA team was assisted by local police and paramilitary forces when it searched the office of the trust located in the premises of a prominent English daily in Srinagar. At least three other NGOs founded in 2000 were raided by the NIA for alleged terror funding in Jammu and Kashmir, they said.

According to the NIA, these NGOs were receiving money from undisclosed donors which were being used for funding terror activities, they added.

Residential house of Hurriyat activist also in the raid list

The residential house of a Hurriyat activist in Brar village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district was also raided by the agency.

NIA raids residential house of Hurriyat activist in Bandipora

According to the reports, the sleuths of NIA assisted by the Jammu & Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) conducted a raid on the residential house of Mohd Yousf Sofi, Son of Abdul Rashid Sofi, resident of Brar village.

It said that the Hurriyat activist’s house is currently being searched.

Mehbooba Mufti calls NIA 'pet agency' of BJP

Meanwhile, People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti said that the National Investigation Agency has become BJP's pet agency to intimidate and browbeat those who refuse to fall in line.

"NIA raids on human rights activist Khurram Parvez & Greater Kashmir office in Srinagar is yet another example of GOIs vicious crackdown on freedom of expression & dissent. Sadly, NIA has become BJPs pet agency to intimidate & browbeat those who refuse to fall in line," Mufti tweeted.

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Last Updated : Oct 28, 2020, 6:59 PM IST

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