ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Home Department has initiated formal legal proceedings against recently proscribed Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) core members, Shaukat Nawaz Mir and Khawaja Mehran Arshad, over allegations of sedition and anti-state activities.
The separate notifications stated that authorities have received credible information indicating that both individuals have committed offences constituting sedition and are punishable under Section 124-A of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Penal Code, 1860, through speeches, writings, publications, electronic communications, and other acts.
The government stated that it reviewed the available material and determined that the allegations warrant further investigation in accordance with the law.
Under powers exercised under Section 196 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the government has directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Muzaffarabad to investigate the case against Shaukat Nawaz Mir.
While the SSP Mirpur has also been tasked with investigating the allegations against Khawaja Mehran Arshad and submitting challans before the relevant courts.
In both cases, the concerned District Police Officers have been directed to complete the investigation and submit the challan in the concerned court under Section 196 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The development came with an alleged leaked audio call on June 6, where Shaukat Nawaz Mir and Khawaja Mehran Arshad were planning sabotage, siege, and clashes against state institutions in Rawalakot.
Sources said that the similarity between the conversation revealed in the leaked audio and the subsequent violent incidents in Rawalakot has further strengthened the investigation.
The investigating agencies are conducting a detailed examination of the alleged planning, incitement, coordination, and interrelationship of the subsequent incidents, sources further added.
Government sources say that all elements planning, supporting, or encouraging violent activities will be held accountable according to the law.
In another development, the government has announced a bounty worth Rs 10 million for information leading to the arrest of four co-members of the proscribed group.
According to a notification issued by the Home Department, the “President of AJK has fixed Rs 10 million reward money to be granted to any person who provides information leading to the successful arrest of the [following] offenders belonging to the proscribed JAAC.”
The individuals include Shoukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Khawaja Mehran Arshad, and Sardar Amaan Khan. “The identity of the successful informer shall be kept in secrecy,” the notification stated.
