The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched a massive search operation in Srinagar on October 28. According to news reports the NIA team is conducting raids at multiple places, including those belonging to human rights defenders, NGOs, and even a media house in connection with a ‘terror funding’ probe. The NIA also raided the office of popular daily Greater Kashmir, as well as the home of well known human rights activist Khurram Parvez, coordinator J&K Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), and journalist Parvez Bukhari.
#Kashmir: National Investigation Agency (NIA) raids multiple locations in Srinagar including residence of Human rights activist @KhurramParvez, Athrout NGO and a local daily Greater Kashmir.
— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) October 28, 2020
NIA raids being conducted at a local newspaper @GreaterKashmir in Srinagar.
Photo: Ahmer Khan. pic.twitter.com/20IijLuiRh
— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) October 28, 2020
NIA conducted raids Greater Kashmir’s office at Press enclave in Srinagar pic.twitter.com/3Iz2iIhkuS
— Basit Zargar (باسط) (@basiitzargar) October 28, 2020
According to reports, the raids were at 10 locations in Kashmir, nine in Srinagar and one in Bandipora. A raid was also said to have been conducted at a location in Bangalore, Karnataka. The NIA stated that it searched the residence and office of Khurram Parvez (coordinator of JKCCS), his associates journalist Parvez Ahmad Bukhari, Parvez Ahmad Matta and Bengaluru-based associate Swati Sheshadri. They also searched the premises of Parveena Ahanger, Chairperson of Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDPK) and the offices of NGO Athrout and Greater Kashmir Trust. According to NIA, “Several incriminating documents and electronic devices have been seized. Further investigation in the case is continued.” It was reported by The Hindu, that the NIA teams also “visited the offices of two NGOs in Hyderpora and Nawakadal, a houseboat owner and a Hurriyat activist.” According to the news report the the Hurriyat activist has been identified as Muhammad Yousuf Sofi, a resident of Bandipora’s Brar village.
Journalists also shared the NIA statement:
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) today raided 10 locations in Srinagar, including residence of prominent rights activist @KhurramParvez, reputed journalist @parvaizbukhari and the office of most circulating English daily in Kashmir, Greater Kashmir.
NIA statement ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/77STMrJCDN
— Aakash Hassan (@AakashHassan) October 28, 2020
The NIA action comes a day after Land laws were changed in the Union Territory. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and ex-Chief Minister slammed the raids calling them “yet another example of the Government of India’s vicious crackdown on freedom of expression and dissent.”
At a time when J&K’s land & resources are being plundered, GOI wants media publications to write op-eds about diabetes & yoga. In BJP’s ‘all is well’ charade, truth is the biggest casualty. Any journalist unwilling to become a part of Godi media is targeted
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 28, 2020
At a time when J&K’s land & resources are being plundered, GOI wants media publications to write op-eds about diabetes & yoga. In BJP’s ‘all is well’ charade, truth is the biggest casualty. Any journalist unwilling to become a part of Godi media is targeted
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 28, 2020
Kashmir Times editor Anuradha Bhasin also questioned the timing of the raids, calling them attempts to silence the media, just “a day after the disempowering land laws. Can this be just a coincidence?”
NIA raids on GK office and HR defender Khurram Parvez’s house are attempts to impose silence even on our whispers (and they’re scared of even that). This comes a day after the disempowering land laws. Can this be just a coincidence?
— Anuradha Bhasin (@AnuradhaBhasin_) October 28, 2020
Hours before the NIA raided him, Khurram Parvez had posted: “Kashmiris knew that the real reason for abrogation was land grabbing & demographic changes. It can’t be anymore brazen & violent.
On abrogation of Article 370, India had claimed that it was being done to ensure development, creation of jobs, women empowerment & transparency.
Kashmiris knew that the real reason for abrogation was land grabbing & demographic changes. It can’t be anymore brazen & violent.— Khurram Parvez (@KhurramParvez) October 27, 2020
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