NIA arrests Kashmir human rights activist

Srinagar: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez in Srinagar. Official sources told News Trail that NIA personnel on Monday arrived at the residence and office of Parvaiz in Srinagar and carried out searches in connection with a case registered earlier.

Till Monday night, there was no official word from the NIA on the matter. A senior official, however, on the condition of anonymity said he “has been arrested.”

Family sources said that Parvez’s phone and laptop were also seized. Last year, Parvez was among those who were raided by NIA in connection with a case of funds being raised from “India and abroad in the name of charitable activities” and then allegedly used “for carrying out secessionist and separatist activities in J&K.”

The agency then also raided the office of the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, a federation of rights groups and activists. Parvez is cordinator of JKCCS.

In 2016, Parvez was arrested in Srinagar and booked under the Public Safety Act. The J&K High Court, however, had termed his detention illegal and ordered his immediate release. Parvez also serves as chairperson of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances.