National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday carried searches at 56 locations in fourteen districts in Jammu Kashmir, officials said.
As per the investigation agency, NIA conducted searches in Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) funding case (RC-03/2021/NIA/DLI).
“Today (08.08.2021), NIA alongwith JKP and CRPF conducted searches at 56 locations in Districts of Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar and Rajouri of J-K,” the agency said in a statement.
The case was registered by NIA on 5 February 2021 in pursuance to order from Ministry of Home Affairs relating to “separatist and secessionist activities of JeI, an unlawful association under the UA(P) Act, even after its proscription on 28.02.2019.”
“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,” NIA claimed, adding, “The funds raised by JeI are also being channelized to militants such as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (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 Kashmir to participate in disruptive secessionist activities.”
The NIA said searches conducted included the premises of office bearers of the association, its members and also offices of trusts purportedly run by JeI. “During the searches today, various incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized from the premises of the suspects”.
Further investigation in the case continues, the NIA added. (GNS)