Separatist Asiya Andrabi, 2 others in 10-day NIA custody
Asiya Andrabi, chief of the Kashmiri women’s separatist group Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DEM), and two of her associates were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday for allegedly advocating the secession of Jammu and Kashmir and the use of violence against India.
A special NIA court in the capital subsequently remanded the three to 10 days in custody.
Government officials said on condition of anonymity that the move was among recommendations made at a security review meeting held in New Delhi on March 3 that was chaired by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and attended by home secretary Rajiv Gauba, Intelligence Bureau director Rajiv Jain, NIA director YC Modi, J&K police chief SP Vaid and additional director general (law and order) Munir Ahmed Khan.
Andrabi is the founder of DEM, a separatist organisation formed in 1987 and described by the home ministry as a proscribed outfit. She is also the wife of Hizbul Mujahideen commander-turned-Hurriyat leader Qasim Faktoo, who has been in jail since 1993 .
“The allegations against the accused persons are that they have been using media platforms to spread insurrectionary imputations and hateful speeches that advocate use of violence against India and secession of J&K from the Union of India. Asiya and her associates have written and spoken words that excite disaffection towards the Government of India,” said NIA spokesperson.