AJK initiates sedition proceedings against banned JAAC leaders

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has initiated formal legal proceedings against leaders of the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), accusing them of sedition and anti-state activities.

According to official directives, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Muzaffarabad has been tasked with investigating allegations against Shaukat Nawaz Mir under Section 124-A of the AJK Penal Code, while the SSP Mirpur will investigate similar allegations against Khawaja Mehran Arshad.

The AJK Home Department said that after reviewing available material, it had concluded that the allegations warranted further investigation under the law.

The department stated that investigations would cover alleged criminal speeches, writings, publications and electronic communications attributed to the two leaders.

Relevant district police authorities have been directed to complete investigations under Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and submit challans before the competent courts.

The development comes after the AJK government declared the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee a proscribed organisation on June 5 under anti-terrorism laws, alleging that the group was involved in activities prejudicial to the peace and security of the state.

On Monday, AJK police said that members of the banned organisation allegedly opened fire in Rawalakot, resulting in the martyrdom of four law enforcement personnel and injuries to more than 20 police and security officials.

Officials said the latest legal action follows reports of violent incidents in Rawalakot and an alleged leaked audio recording involving Mir and Arshad.

Separately, the AJK Home Department issued a list of four wanted individuals linked to the banned organisation. The notification named Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Khawaja Mehran Arshad, Umar Nazir Kashmiri and Sardar Aman Khan.

A reward of Rs10 million has been announced for information leading to the arrest of the wanted individuals. Authorities said the identity of informants would be kept confidential and directed the AJK Inspector General of Police to ensure immediate implementation of the reward scheme.

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Meanwhile, Syed Faisal Gilani, a former member of the JAAC, announced that he was dissociating himself from the organisation and condemned the violent incidents reported in Rawalakot.

Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the situation across Azad Kashmir remained under control and that authorities were ensuring the protection of lives and property.

He said the federal government had made sincere efforts to implement the demands previously raised by the group, adding that recent developments suggested the organisation’s objectives extended beyond those demands.

Chaudhry maintained that normalcy had been restored across AJK, including Rawalakot, and said a detailed statement regarding reported casualties during the recent unrest would be issued separately.