Jammu Court Issues Proclamation Notices Against Kashmiri Men, Threatens Property Seizure

In a significant move under the NIA Act, a special court in Jammu has ordered the attachment of properties belonging to two Kashmiri men, intensifying the crackdown on pro-freedom activists in IIOJK.

A special court in Jammu, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) operating under the provisions of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, has issued proclamation notices against two Kashmiri men from Islamabad district, directing them to appear before the authorities within 30 days. Failure to comply with the notice will result in the attachment of their properties. The two men, Zaffar Hussain Butt, also known as Khursheed Alam, and Ghulam Nabi, alias Amir Khan, are residents of the Liver village in Srigufwara, Islamabad, and are accused of involvement in a terror-related case under investigation at the Kulgam Police Station.

The charges against them are serious, as both face multiple offenses under Indian law. These include Sections 13, 16, 18, and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which are often used against individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism or anti-state activities. Additionally, they face charges under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), relating to murder, and Section 7/27 of the Arms Act, pertaining to illegal possession of weapons.

The court has given the two men a 30-day window to appear or face consequences that include the seizure of their properties. As part of the legal process, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has been instructed to publicly advertise the notices through local and national newspapers and through postings in the accused men’s hometowns.

This move is part of a broader strategy by the Indian authorities to suppress pro-freedom activities in IIOJK, particularly those linked to separatist or anti-India movements. By threatening property confiscation, the authorities aim to intimidate individuals and groups advocating for Kashmir’s independence. Over the years, the Indian government has increasingly resorted to these legal measures in an attempt to silence voices of dissent in the region.

The focus on property seizure, specifically targeting pro-freedom activists, is a tactic the Indian authorities believe will undermine the resolve of the Kashmiri people. Seizing assets from individuals and organizations linked to the independence movement is seen as a way to break their financial and social standing, thus discouraging further resistance. Notably, the occupation authorities have already seized several properties from pro-freedom leaders, including those associated with Jamaat-e-Islami and other separatist groups, in an effort to stifle dissent.

This action is being viewed as part of the ongoing repression in IIOJK, which has been under intense scrutiny by human rights organizations. Critics argue that such legal measures are aimed at punishing individuals based on their political beliefs, rather than criminal actions. For many Kashmiris, this latest development marks another chapter in their struggle for self-determination.

The issuance of proclamation notices and the threat of property seizure serves as a reminder of the growing pressures faced by those in IIIOJK advocating for freedom.