Srinagar, November 03, 2021 (PPI-OT):In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), has said that the latest decision of the authorities to create state Investigating Agency (SIA) by all counts is only aimed to strengthen the repressive apparatus in the territory.

The PAGD spokesperson, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, in a statement said the formation of one more agency empowered with unbridled powers is one more assault on democratic rights and civil liberties of citizens.

He said in the name of fighting terrorism these agencies and laws are being weaponries against the citizens who hold a different viewpoint from the government. “What was the need to add one more such agency? When already NIA (National Investigation Agency) and UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act) have created havoc among the people by gross misuse of these draconian measures,” he asked.

Tarigami said Jammu and Kashmir is a political issue and needs a political outreach. What was required to be done was to provide relief to the people and not any addition to such harsh measures which are bound to deepen their alienation, he said.

The PAGD maintained that even eminent jurists in India have expressed resentment over the draconian laws being passed by the government in the name of fighting terrorism. “These laws can be wielded as a weapon against opponents. The fight to defend democracy must encompass the struggle to get rid of these draconian laws,” it added.

Meanwhile, People Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said the constitution of the SIA was another tool of state suppression to intimidate people into submission and silence. The only progress government of India made post 5th August has been creating more tools of state suppression to intimidate people into submission and silence. As if ED (Enforcement Directorate), CBI (Central Bureau of Investigations), NIA and anti-terror laws weren’t enough, we now have SIA with sweeping powers and impunity to repress people further in Jammu and Kashmir, she wrote on Twitter.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org