Srinagar, In a controversial move, the Indian government has escalated property seizures in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently attaching 11 properties alleged to be linked to bank fraud.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the targeted properties, worth billions of rupees, are said to be connected to a case involving significant financial misconduct affecting Canara Bank’s operations in Srinagar. The ED justified its actions by referencing an FIR lodged at Maisuma Police Station, which accuses several individuals, including Isfaq Ahmad Zargar and Khalil Ahmad Mughal, of defrauding the bank’s local branch.

The confiscation has sparked concerns among observers, who view it as part of a broader pattern of asset appropriation under various pretexts, raising serious questions about the rights and protections afforded to Kashmiri property owners under Indian administration. Critics argue that these measures are indicative of a wider strategy to undermine the economic foundations of the Kashmiri community, particularly against the backdrop of the region’s disputed status and ongoing political tensions.

Dr. Ali, a political analyst, underscored the potential implications of such tactics, suggesting that they not only inflame regional discord but also contribute to a climate of fear and suppression, disproportionately affecting Kashmiri Muslims. These developments reflect a troubling trend in the governance of IIOJK, where legal and financial instruments are increasingly employed in ways that critics argue could undermine the region’s demographic and cultural integrity.