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J&K forms State Investigation Agency on lines of NIA to handle terror cases

The SIA will consist of a director and officers, employees deputed by the government

Srinagar teacher funeral pti (File) The funeral of a teacher killed by militants in Srinagar | PTI

The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the constitution of the State Investigation Agency, a special agency, to deal with all terrorism-related cases.

“Sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of a specialised agency to be called the State Investigation Agency (SIA) for investigation and prosecution of the offences specified in the Annexure of this order,” read a home department order. The SIA will consist of a director and such number of officers and employees as are deputed by the government from time to time.

The SIA will investigate and carry out prosecution of offences covered under The Explosive Substances Act, 1908 (6 of 1908); The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (33 of 1962); The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967); The Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016 (30 of 2016); The Suppression of Unlawful acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982 (66 of 1982); The SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act, 1993 (36 of 1993); The Suppression of Unlawful acts against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, 2002 (69 of 2002) and The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005 (21 of 2005).

The SIA will be functioning like the NIA and will coordinate with the Central agency in investigating all terrorism-related cases.

The SIA will also take other measures as “may be necessary for speedy and effective investigation and prosecution of terrorism-related cases,” the order read.

It will also investigate the offences under Chapter VI of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) [sections 121 to 130 (both inclusive)]; Sections 370 and 370A of Chapter XVI of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860); Sections 489-A to 489-E (both inclusive) of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860); Sub-section (1AA) of section 25 of Chapter V of the Arms Act, 1959 (54 of 1959) and Section 66F of Chapter XI of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000).

The SIA will also take up cases related to “terror financing and circulation of fake currency notes. It will also probe terrorism-related larger conspiracy cases like terrorism-linked kidnapping and murders, thefts/extortions, ATM/bank robbery cases, weapon-snatching/robbery cases and the cases relating to terrorism-linked propaganda and false narrative. The agency will also investigate cases of incitement, spreading of disaffection, enmity against the Indian Union”.

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