Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 28: Thirty seven persons have been arrested in the State for spreading militant activities using money obtained through hawala and Foreign Indian Currency Network (FICN).
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a written reply to question by BJP member Sat Paul Sharma in the State Assembly here: “A total of 17 cases were registered during the last three years and the current year upto May 12 in connection with the hawala transactions.”
The highest eight cases were registered in 2013, followed by five in 2014, three in 2015 and one so far. “A total of 37 persons – 17 in 2013, nine in 2014, eight in 2015 and three in 2016 – were arrested during investigations of the cases,” she said adding over Rs 36.70 lakhs, 900 USD and 33 Gold coins were also recovered.
The CM in her reply said 116 persons were arrested and recovery of counterfeit currency with a face value of over Rs 51.15 lakhs along with USD 6980 was affected since 2013.
About the particulars of identified separatist leaders found receiving hawala money, the Chief Minister said “no such report has been received in the recent past”. However, she said foreign funds are being routed through various channels including Hawala and FICN “to spread terrorist activities in the State”.
Meanwhile, Mehbooba Mufti today said that over 200 persons including 36 foreigners and four non-state subjects are lodged in militancy-related cases in various jails in the State.
In a written reply to a question by Independent MLA Abdul Rashid Sheikh in the Assembly, Mehbooba said: “A total of 209 persons – 169 state subjects, four non-state subjects and 36 foreigners – are lodged in militancy related cases in various jails of the State.”
Mehbooba said it would not be feasible to disclose the particulars of these prisoners keeping in view their security and the safety of their families. As on May 30 this year, she said no person belonging to Jammu and Kashmir, who has committed an offence in this State, is lodged in any of the jails outside the State.
The Chief Minister, in response to a question, whether the Government plans to shift the prisoners lodged in various jails outside the State to their native districts or divisions said: “No such proposal is under consideration.”
Mehbooba said the Prisons department provides various facilities to the prisoners lodged in various jails of the State. The facilities provided include compulsory health screening at the time of initial lodgment as per the guidelines of NHRC, following advisories on health of inmates issued by Union Ministry of Home Affairs from time to time and provision of medical care to the sick inmates by doctors and other Para medical staff posted in the central jails and districts jails.
“Seven ambulances have been procured to shift ailing prisoners for treatment to other hospitals in case of emergency, counseling of jail inmates by psychiatric specialists at regular intervals, management of unsound prisoners in terms of Lunacy Act and sensitizing jail staff and inmates about health issues and hygiene are some other facilities”, the Chief Minister said.
Mehbooba said refreshing the minds of inmates by organizing special yoga and meditation programmes and conduct of cultural programmes, painting and sports competitions are for recreation of the inmates. As regards food, she said diet as per the scales mentioned in the manual for superintendent and management of jails is being provided to the inmates.
“Additional diet is provided to the lactating and pregnant female inmates, she said adding special diet is also provided to the sick inmates as per medical advice. Clean and sufficient drinking water has been made available in all the jails”, the CM said.
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