State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday seized properties of banned Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) at dozens of locations in Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kupwara and Baramulla worth hundreds of crores after being notified by respective district magistrates.
“Today in District Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Kupwara, properties at about a dozen locations worth approximately hundred crores of rupees after being notified by DM Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal & Kupwara on the recommendation of SIA J&K, have been barred with restrictions on usage and entry.” SIA officials said in Srinagar on Saturday.
“To choke the availability of funds for secessionist activities and to dismantle the eco-system of anti-national elements and terror networks hostile to India’s sovereignty, several properties belonging or held by banned JeI J&K at above-mentioned districts have been notified by concerned District Magistrates in the exercise of the powers conferred by section 8 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and Notification No. 14017/7/2019, dated 28- February- 2019 of Union Ministry of Home Affairs,” officials added.
“These premises and structures have been barred, and entry and usage have been prohibited,” reads the notification. Besides ‘Red entry’ to this effect has been made in the relevant revenue records,” the officials said.
During the seizure, SIA found that about two dozen business establishments in the towns of Kupwara and Kangan are currently operating out of these JeI properties on rent. “After due diligence, it was decided that these would be allowed to continue so that private persons who may not have any connections with JeI and are only tenants paying rent to JeI are not penalised and their livelihood is not impaired,” SIA said.
The properties in the districts of Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara and Ganderbal of JeI are the third set of properties to be notified in a series of properties belonging to Jamaat-e-Islami in the UT of J&K.
“The action would uproot the menace of terror funding to a great extent in the UT of J&K besides being a stepping stone in ensuring the rule of law and a society without fear,” SIA said.
SIA has also identified as many as 188 JeI properties across the UT of J&K that have either been notified or are in the process of being notified for further legal action.