SIA seizes over dozens of properties of banned JeI worth hundreds of crores in valley

Srinagar, Dec 17  : While furthering the seizure of assets, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday seized properties of banned Jama’at-e-Islami J&K at dozens of locations in Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kupwara and Baramulla worth hundreds of crores after being notified by respective district magistrates.

“Today on 17.12.2022 in District Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Kupwara, properties at about a dozen locations worth INR hundred crores approximately 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 in a statement issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), reads.

“To choke the availability of funds for secessionist activities and to dismantle the eco-system of anti-national elements & terror networks hostile to India’s sovereignty, several properties belonging / held by banned JeI J&K at above mentioned districts have been notified by concerned District Magistrates in exercise of the powers conferred by section 8 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 & Notification No. 14017/7/2019, dated 28- February- 2019 of Union Ministry of Home Affairs. These premises/ structures have been barred and entry and usage has been prohibited reads the notification. Besides “Red entry” to this effect has been made in the relevant revenue records”, the statement reads.

“During the seizure proceedings it was found that about two dozen business establishments in the towns of Kupwara and Kangan are currently running from out these JeI properties on rent basis. 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 not impaired”, it reads.

In Baramulla the agency carried out seizure of land measuring 01-Kanal & 12-Marla under Survey No. 2228/2015/360 min; land measuring 01-Kanal under Survey No. 2259/405 min and land measuring 32-Kanal & 01 Marla under Survey No. 408. In Kupwara land measuring 03-Marla under Survey No. 1074 near Rehmat-Alam Public School; JeI office Kupwara (Single Storey tin roofed building) adjacent to Masjid Quwatul-Islam Kupwara. (20 business establishments).

Similarly in district Baramulla, land measuring 13 Marla under Khasra No. 113 Min in village Bandipora while as in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal the agency seized single storey building constructed over Land measuring 10-Marla under Survey No. 2425/1674/1458/315 in village Kangan; three stories shop constructed over Land measuring 01-Marla & 7 Sirsai under Survey No. 2520/1482/496 min in village Kangan; land measuring 05-Kanal & 15 Marla under Survey No. 954-min, 955-min in village Gadoora Ganderbal; abandoned double storey building constructed over Land measuring 01-Kanal & 06 Marla under Survey No. 1488- min in village Safapora Lar; and land measuring 18-Marla under Survey No. 722-min in village Kurhama.
As per the agency, the properties districts Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara and Ganderbal of JeI are the 3rd set of properties to be notified in a series of properties belonging to Jamaate-Islami in UT of J&K.

The action would uproot the menace of terror funding to a great extent in UT of J&K besides being a stepping stone in ensuring rule of law & a society without fear, it said.
Pertinently, SIA has identified as many as 188 JeI properties across the UT of J&K which have either been notified or are under the process of being notified for further legal action. These are as a result of investigation of case FIR number 17 of 2019 U/S 10, 11 & 13 of Police Station Batmaloo being investigated by SIA. (KNS)