Fresh trouble seems to be brewing for Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti after the National Investigation Agency arrested seven separatist leaders in connection with its terror funding probe. The Hurriyat leadership called for a Kashmir bandh on Tuesday demanding that those who were arrested should be let off immediately. While critics believe that the government is resorting to such measures to bring the Hurriyat to the talking table sans Pakistan interference, all eyes are on Mehbooba on how she will handle the situation. It also remains to be seen whether the government is able to put pressure on the Hurriyat keeping Pakistan at bay.
Meanwhile, knives are already out, and a political turmoil over the NIA action in the Valley seems inevitable. Leading the charge is independent MLA Engineer Rashid who said that the NIA has no jurisdiction over Kashmir and that the chief minister should ensure that the arrested leaders are let off. Rashid has touched a raw nerve as there have been repeated concerns raised in the Valley over the NIA's jurisdiction in Jammu and Kashmir.
"They are respectable citizens and not criminals. They should not be treated in this manner. Mufti has no right to be in office if she cannot restore their honour," he told THE WEEK. Rashid said that Kashmir has been humiliated and the dirty tricks department in the NIA is out to malign the leaders of Hurriyat and in turn the sentiments of the people of Kashmir. He said the arrests are an attempt to counter the rising demand for self determination and that the central government is only resorting to diversionary tactics.
Rashid also questioned as to why the NIA has only accused the Hurriyat leaders of amassing wealth and property. He said there should be similar probe into the assets of National Conference and PDP as well.
"Why is the crackdown only on Hurriyat? Someone should ask the NC and PDP leaders where they got their property and wealth from," he said.
On Tuesday, violence broke out in certain areas of Srinagar. In Habba Kadal area one stone pelter was arrested even as the police used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Reinforcements of security forces are being sent to control the situation.
"A close watch has to be kept on the law and order situation lest it spiral out of control. There could be mischief by certain groups in the Valley and elements in Pakistan," said an official pointing out that it all depends on Mehbooba's approach to the crackdown and whether she is able to display seriousness.
Meanwhile, the seven accused were produced before the special NIA judge in Patiala House in Delhi and remanded to ten days police custody. The agency sources said it has gathered enough evidence to link last year's unrest in the Valley to Pakistan and establish the terror money trail to the arrested leaders. The NIA may also question hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani in the case even as home ministry officials pointed out that concrete evidence would be required before the central agency expands the ambit of its probe and lands at Geelani's doorstep .
Those arrested on Monday include Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Shah. Besides Shah, the others arrested are Tehreek-e-Hurriyat's Ayaz Akbar and Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam of the Hurriyat, Naeem Khan of the Jammu Kashmir National Front and separatist leaders Peer Saifullah and Bitta Karatay.
