NIA to investigate separatist funding, Hurriyat calls meeting

Srinagar: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated investigation into the alleged funds being received by separatists from Pakistan for subversive activities in the Kashmir valley, where the hardline Hurriyat Conference (HC) has called an emergency meeting of its “Majlias Shoura” today.

The NIA has registered cases against separatist leaders, including HC chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Peoples Front (PF) chief Nayeem Ahmad Khan, a constituent of Hurriyat, Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bita Karatee besides Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH) Gazi Javed Baba. The cases have been registered after some separatist leaders, including Nayeem Khan, had allegedly admitted during a sting operation by a Television (TV) channel that separatists are receiving money from Pakistan for financing stone-pelters and others for causing damage to property and attack on security forces.

A NIA team has arrived here yesterday to start investigation into the allegations against the separatist leaders, official sources told UNI. However, they said that the team will summon or question the separatist leaders only after going through the documents and other material available with the agency. The NIA team arrived here when Defence Minister Arun Jaitley earlier during the day commenting on the alleged admission by some separatist leaders that they are receiving money from Pakistan, said, “I am sure the agency concerned will take whatever action has to be taken in this matter. (UNI)