SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday revealed that foreign funds are being routed through various channels including hawala and Foreign Indian Currency Network (FICN) in the State to spread militant activities.
“As per reports, foreign funds are being routed through various channels including hawala and FICN in Jammu and Kashmir to spread militant activities,” Mehbooba, who also holds home portfolio, informed the State Legislative Assembly in a written reply to a question by BJP State president and MLA Sat Paul Sharma.
The CM informed the Assembly that in 2013, 8 cases related to hawala money were registered by police in 2013 and 17 persons arrested. “An amount of Rs 12,49,000 was recovered from them”.
“In 2014, 5 cases were registered and nine persons arrested. An amount of Rs 2.38 lakhs and 900 US dollars were recovered from them,” she said.
The CM further informed that in 2015, 3 cases were registered and eight persons arrested. “An amount of Rs 20.93 lakhs and 33 gold coins were recovered from them”.
“Upto May this year, one case was registered by police and three persons detained. >From their possession Rs 90,000 hawala money was recovered,” she said.
In response to a query whether any separatist leader has been found receiving hawala money, Mehbooba informed the legislators that no such report has been received in the recent past.
She further informed that from 2013 to May 12, 2016, police have registered 57 cases related to forged or counterfeit currency notes or bank notes.
“116 people were arrested for possessing counterfeit currency since 2013. Fake Indian currency notes with a face value of Rs 51.15 lakh and 6,980 US dollars have been seized during this period,” added Mehbooba.