Property Seizures in IIOJK Continue Under UAPA Clampdown

Kashmiris continue to face the brunt of India’s repressive tactics, as property seizures under the controversial UAPA law target more youth in Baramulla, escalating tensions in the region.

Acting on the orders of the New Delhi-appointed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Indian police have seized properties belonging to two young Kashmiris in Baramulla district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

1 Kanal and 10 Marlas of land owned by Abdullah Shah Bukhari, a resident of Lalpora Laridora, and 13 Marlas owned by Ghulam Rasool Chopan were confiscated in the Takiya Yousuf Shah area.

The authorities carried out the action under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)—a law frequently condemned for its vague definitions and its misuse against political dissenters.

The Indian administration claimed the confiscated properties were connected to activities described as “pro-freedom,” a term routinely used to criminalize Kashmiri calls for autonomy or independence.

Additionally, an official notice was issued barring any sale or transfer of the attached properties, further tightening the grip on the affected families.

This move is part of a broader crackdown that has intensified since the Indian government revoked IIOJK’s special constitutional status in August 2019.

Since then, the BJP-led regime has been aggressively pushing policies aimed at altering the region’s demographic and political landscape. These include the arbitrary seizure of land, targeted arrests, and repressive legal actions.

Local and international human rights advocates have repeatedly criticized the weaponization of the UAPA, stating that the law is used to silence dissent and instill fear among the Kashmiri population.

The seizure of land from ordinary citizens, particularly the youth, reflects the systematic attempt to disenfranchise and disempower the native population.

For many Kashmiris, these seizures are not just legal actions—they represent a larger campaign to erase their identity, suppress political expression, and displace them from their ancestral lands.

The ongoing land grabs, backed by legal and military force, have drawn condemnation from civil society groups and international observers, who view these tactics as violations of basic human rights.

As pressure mounts on the Indian government to justify such acts, the resistance among Kashmiris continues, fueled by a history of injustice and ongoing repression.