In connection with a case involving the funding of terror, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted numerous searches on Monday in the Jammu and Doda districts of Jammu and Kashmir against members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).
Since early this morning, simultaneous raids have been conducted at almost a dozen locations at the homes of JeI office-bearers and members in various areas of the two districts, according to the officials.
According to official sources, the raids are taking place in Bhatindi in Jammu as well as Dhara-Gundana, Munshi Mohalla, Akramband, Nagri Nai Basti, Kharoti Bhagwah, Thalela, and Malothi Bhalla in the Doda district, reports PTI.
They said the searches are being done in connection with a case involving the funding of terror.
The case, which was filed by the NIA suo-motto on February 5 of last year, concerns the actions of members of the JeI who have been raising money both domestically and abroad through donations, particularly in the form of “Zakat, Mowda, and Bait-ul-Mal,” ostensibly to support charitable and other welfare endeavours, but who instead use the funds for “violent and secessionist” activities.
The NIA says that through well-organized networks of JeI cadres, funds raised by JeI are also funnelled to terrorist groups that are banned, including Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and others.
The NIA has stated that the JeI had been encouraging impressionable Kashmiri youth and enlisting new members (Rukuns) in the Union territory to take part in disruptive secessionist activities.
On the basis that it was “in close touch” with militant outfits and was expected to “escalate secessionist movement” in the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre banned JeI in February 2019 for five years under anti-terror laws.
Following a high-level security meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act banning the group.
Following the ban, there was a widespread crackdown in Jammu and Kashmir that resulted in the arrest of hundreds of JeI activists. This occurred just months before the erstwhile state’s special status was revoked and it was split into two Union territories in August 2019.
(With Inputs from PTI and others)
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The Chenab Times News Desk
