CHOKE ALL KASHMIR TERROR-FUNDING CONDUITS

The raids carried out by the National Investigation at 14 places in Kashmir and eight in Delhi in the wee hours of June 3 over investigation into terror funding in the Valley is a reflection of the Narendra Modi government’s hardening of stance on the fanning of terror activities from across the border. Initial reports say the swoop resulted in the seizure of letterheads of terror outfits Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), gold worth Rs 50 lakh and around Rs 2.5 crore in cash. Sleuths from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the nodal agency for money laundering probes, were part of the raiding parties. This is the first in the last 25 years since militancy erupted in the valley that such widespread raids in connection with funding of separatists by Pakistan have been conducted. The NIA action came after registration of a formal FIR in the case in connection with the larger conspiracy to fund separatists in the Valley. The FIR alleges that money received from Pakistan is used to fund violence in the Kashmir Valley, including activities such as stone pelting on security forces and torching of schools and government buildings. The key in such raids lies in maintaining complete secrecy. Whether such secrecy was maintained is a moot point because punitive action against terror-funding agencies and individuals was being talked about for quite a while. It is indeed a matter of speculation that the seizures would have been much greater had the intelligence on funding for separatists been better guarded. Besides Altaf Fantoosh, son-in-law of Hurriyat faction leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, businessman Zahoor Watali, Shahid-ulIslam, leader of Awami Action Committee led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Raja Mehrajuddi , district president Hurriyat (Geelani) and some second-rung separatist leaders were reportedly raided. Another prominent name in the list is that of real estate businessman Zahoor Wattali. Wattali is brother of former DIG Ali Mohammad Wattali. Later in the evening, the NIA raided Jammu and Kashmir National Front’s chairman Nayeem Khan’s house.

While the Central government’s action, though belated, is welcome, the follow-up to the raids would have to be swift and effective. Every so often, leaks of information and poor support for the prosecution’s case largely out of fear result in derailment of such cases. Not only must the legal proceedings be made foolproof but a constant watch must be kept on terror conduits to nip any further diversion of money for nefarious ends in the bud. The administration cannot afford to be tough on traitors and their agents in fits and starts. A measure of consistency is sorely needed. No traitor and collaborator in terror funding must be spared at any cost. The message must go out loud and clear that the establishment in India means business.