SIA questions JeI members including Ameer for foreign funding, operations

Fayaz Bukhari

Srinagar, Feb 17 : The State Investigation Agency (SIA) today questioned Ameer of banned Jamaat-e-Islami and its six other members.
“Today SIA had summoned about more than half a dozen persons associated with the proscribed JeI and were quizzed for more than eight hours regarding various unlawful activities,” SIA said in a statement.
“Besides foreign funding and foreign operations of JeI they were questioned about activities of Jamaat-e-Islami in and out of J&K,” it said, adding, “Questioning included properties of JeI having direct or indirect links with (militant) funding. Believed to have its origin in foreign countries including, UK, Canada, Bahrain etc.”
The SIA said that the “quizzing” is an investigation of JeI related case originally lodged at Police Station Batamaloo Srinagar, Kashmir, now being investigated by State Investigation Agency.
“Recent video and press release from proscribed JeI was also inquired in the light of foreign operations of proscribed JeI.”
Those “quizzed”, SIA said, include Abdul Hamid Ganaie (last serving Ameer Jammat) son of Mohammad Yaseen of Nadigam Shopian at present Wazabagh Hyderpora Srinagar, Abdul Salam Dagga (Ameer Tehsil North Srinagar) son of Ghulam Mohammad Dagga of Baghi Islam Lal Nagar Chanapora, Peer Abdul Rashid (Rukn-e-Jamaat) son of Peer Ghulam Ahmad of Challan Kulgam, Muzaffer Jan (JeI Member) son of Habibullah Rangrez of Bohrikadal Srinagar at present Nowgam Wanbal Srinagar, Tariq Ahmad Haroon (Office bearer, last I/c JeI Office) son of Habibullah of Naidyar Rainawari Srinagar and Mohammad Yousuf Sheikh (Rukn-e-Jamaat) son of Gull Mohammad R/o Harwan Saidpora Srinagar.
“Besides them, some other associates were also summoned by SIA in case FIR No. 17/2019 U/S 10, 11, 13 ULA (P) Act of P/S Batamaloo currently being investigated by SIA.”
The SIA raids were conducted in the backdrop of recent holding of conference on Kashmir in Bosina.  The Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir and its associated organisations were involved in the conduct or promotion of conference in Bosnia.
However, the Jamaat refuted the reports and termed them baseless. It said the Jamaat is not functional due to the ban and it has no associate organisations anywhere in the world nor any representatives.
Government of India banned Jamaat-e-Islami in February 2019 for five years under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.