Srinagar: To seize the funds and other financial assets held by anyone supporting the insurgency, the government of India has engaged 44 senior officers from central, state and Union Territory governments, as nodal authority, who will keep monitoring the situation and subsequently take note on such issues, if found.
Quoting an official memorandum, a report by news agency PTI said that nodal officers were designated for the implementation of Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
As per the government guidelines, Section 51A of the UAPA says that for the prevention of, and for coping with terrorist activities, the central government shall have power to: (a) freeze, seize or attach funds and other financial assets or economic resources held by, on behalf of or at the direction of the individuals or entities listed in the Schedule to the Order, or any other person engaged in or suspected to be engaged in terrorism. (b) Prohibit any individual or entity from making any funds, financial assets or economic resources or related services available for the benefit of the individuals or entities listed in the Schedule to the Order or any other person engaged in or suspected to be engaged in terrorism. (c) Prevent the entry into or the transit through India of individuals listed in the Schedule to the Order or any other person engaged in or suspected to be engaged in militancy.
The 44 nodal officers were designated to help law enforcement agencies to seize funds and other financial assets held by anyone engaged in terrorism or supporting such violent acts, the news agency quoted an official from Home Ministry as saying.
The report added that these designated nodal officers belong to the ministries of home and external affairs, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), all state and union territory governments.
Pertinently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has seized a number of properties belonging to Kashmiri separatist leaders in recent years and those who were found to have supported insurgency with illicit money in the Northeast, including an MLA.
Free Press Kashmir is now on Telegram. Click here to Join.
