SRINAGAR: Thirty seven people have been arrested in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly providing hawala money for “spreading” militant activities, the state government on Tuesday said.
“A total of 17 cases were registered during the last three years till May 12 in connection with hawala transactions,” Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a written reply to a question by BJP member Sat Pal Sharma in the state Assembly.
Eight cases were registered in 2013, five in 2014, three in 2015 and one so far this year, Mehbooba, who also holds the home portfolio, said.
A total of 37 people — 17 in 2013, nine in 2014, eight in 2015 and three in 2016 were arrested in connection with the cases, she said, adding over Rs 36.70 lakh, $ 900 and 33 gold coins were also recovered. Also, 116 people were arrested for possessing counterfeit currency. Fake Indian currency notes with a face value of Rs 51.15 lakh and $6,980 have been seized since 2013, she said.
The chief minister denied having received any report about separatist leaders receiving hawala money.
She said foreign funds were being routed through various channels including hawala to spread terrorist activities in the state.
In a written reply to another question, the Chief Minister stated that over 200 persons, including 36 foreigners and four non-state subjects, are lodged in various jails in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with militancy-related cases..
A total of 209 persons – 169 state subjects, four non-state subjects and 36 foreigners – are lodged in militancy-related cases in various jails of the state, Mehbooba said in a written reply to a question by Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid in the state Assembly here.
The Chief Minister, who holds the portfolio of Home Department, said it would not be feasible to disclose the particulars of these prisoners keeping in view their security and that of their families.
As on May 30 this year, she said no person belonging to Jammu and Kashmir, who has committed an offence in this state, is lodged in any of the jails outside the state.
In response to a question whether the government plans to shift the prisoners lodged in various jails outside the state to their native districts or divisions, the Chief Minister said no such proposal is under consideration.
Mehbooba said the prisons department provides various facilities to the prisoners lodged in various jails of the state.
The facilities provided include compulsory health screening at the time of initial lodgment as per the guidelines of NHRC, following advisories on health of inmates issued by Home Ministry from time to time and provision of medical care to the sick inmates by doctors and other paramedical staff posted in central and districts jails.
Seven ambulances have been procured to shift ailing prisoners for treatment to other hospitals in case of emergency, counseling of jail inmates by psychiatric specialists at regular intervals, management of unsound prisoners in terms of Lunacy Act and sensitising jail staff and inmates about health issues and hygiene are some other facilities, the Chief Minister said.
She said refreshing the minds of inmates by organizing special yoga and meditation programmes and conduct of cultural programmes, painting and sports competitions are for recreation of the inmates.
As regards food, Mehbooba said diet as per the scales mentioned in the manual for superintendent and management of jails is being provided to the inmates.
Additional diet is provided to the lactating and pregnant female inmates, she said adding special diet is also provided to the sick inmates as per medical advice.
Mehbooba said clean and sufficient drinking water has been made available in all the jails.