Srinagar, Apr 27 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared a seminary in Shopian district as an unlawful entity under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, citing alleged links with a banned organisation, financial irregularities and concerns over radicalisation, officials said on Monday.
The order was issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg under Section 8(1) of the Act.
The action follows a dossier submitted by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Shopian, on March 24, based on which authorities concluded that the institution was involved in “serious legal, administrative and financial irregularities”, including lack of mandatory registration and alleged evasion of statutory oversight.
Officials said there was credible evidence of covert links between the seminary and Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), a banned outfit, with individuals affiliated to it allegedly occupying key administrative and academic positions.
The order also cited financial opacity and suspected diversion of funds, besides inputs suggesting that the institution fostered an environment conducive to radicalisation, with some former students allegedly linked to militancy.
A show-cause notice was issued to the chairman of the institution on March 31, seeking an explanation. The reply was examined after seeking comments from the SSP Shopian, who termed the objections “factually untenable and devoid of legal merit”, officials said.
The administration said the proceedings were preventive in nature and aimed at curbing misuse of the premises for unlawful activities.
Following the notification, authorities are empowered to take further action, including sealing of the premises and freezing of financial assets, they added.(NVI)
