Srinagar, In a recent judgment, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Srinagar has officially declared Ashiq Ahmed Nengroo, a resident of Hanjan Bala in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, as a “proclaimed offender.” This declaration comes amidst allegations of Nengroo challenging the sovereignty of New Delhi over the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the NIA’s decision was based on an application by the Indian police, asserting that Nengroo is currently residing in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) from where he is purportedly engaging in activities supporting freedom. The police’s move to declare Nengroo a proclaimed offender is part of a broader strategy by the Narendra Modi-led government, aiming to label individuals involved in the freedom struggle as offenders and subsequently attach their properties under the pretext of anti-India activities. This approach seeks to suppress dissent and discourage the local population from opposing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s policies in the region.

The ongoing conflict in Jammu and Kashmir has seen various tactics employed by the Indian authorities to maintain control over the region, amidst a longstanding demand for self-determination by its people. Despite the government’s efforts to quell the movement through stringent measures, the spirit of resistance among the Kashmiri population continues unabated, signaling a persistent struggle for their right to self-determination.