Srinagar: As part of a crackdown on Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) in Kashmir, the authorities have ordered sealing of the properties of the banned extremist organisation and its members, including the deceased separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
Geelani was a top leader of the JeI with strong pro-Pakistan leanings and led a separatist movement for several years, including as a leader of the Hurriyat Conference.
His 2-storeyed residential structure, constructed over proprietary land measuring 17 Marla and 199 Sqft, in uptown Barzulla area of Srinagar has been sealed under the anti-terrorism Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The sealing orders have been issued by Srinagar District Magistrate (DM) following investigation by the State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir in a case FIR number 17 of 2019 U/S 10, 11 & 13 of police station Batamaloo, according to an official order.
The Government of India has already declared JeI, Jammu and Kashmir, as an unlawful association under the UAPA.
“ …The State Investigation Agency, Kashmir vide communication date December, 16, 2022 has intimated that during investigation of case FIR No. 17/2019 u/s 10, 11, 13 UA(P) Act of P/S Batamaloo now being investigated by P/S SIA, below mentioned three properties have surfaced that are owned by and / or under possession of banned association Jamat-e-Islami and are located in the jurisdiction of District Srinagar and are to be notified in terms of section 8 UA (P) Act,” the order read.
The properties notified for sealing also included a piece of land measuring one kanal and seven marla at Khushipora Shalateng in the name of Jamaat J&K through District President Bashir Ahmad Lone of Harwan, Srinagar.
Another piece of land notified includes one Kanal and three Marla at Khushipora Shalateng in the name District President Lone.
Also notified was a two-storied residential structure constructed over proprietary land measuring 17 Marla and 199 Sft. Survey No. 1388/307 at Barzulla, Srinagar recorded in the name of Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Firdous Ahmad Asmi.
“..Whereas, upon obtaining the report from concerned Tehsildar and after perusal of Revenue Record pertaining to the above properties, it was found that these properties are owned by and/ are under possession of banned Jamat-e-Islami association through their members. And whereas, on perusal of the records and other connected documents, I, District Magistrate Srinagar, am satisfied that there is sufficient material to notify the above mentioned properties under the said Act,” the order read.
