Centre clears arrest of Dukhtaran-e-Millat founder Asiya Andrabi in Jammu & Kashmir

NEW DELHI: The arrest of Dukhtaran-e-Millat founder Asiya Andrabi in Jammu and Kashmir was cleared by the Centre to send a message that activities of separatists cannot be overlooked anymore.

Despite the state government’s initial reluctance to order her arrest, the Centre’s wishes prevailed after it pointed out to the state that the arrest was needed to prevent further trouble in the Valley.

The state police had arrested Andrabi from downtown Srinagar on Tuesday.

Andrabi was seen at several recent protests organised by the Hurriyat Conference. According to J&K police, she has been booked under various provisions of the state law and stringent sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Security agencies were on the lookout for her since the current unrest that began on July 9, after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces.

She had been issuing radical statements through her organisation. “Andrabi is wanted in several cases, including some cases under UAPA.

She has been absconding for long,” J&K DGP K Rajendran confirmed to ET. He rubbished that she was unwell and said she would be administered treatment, if found ill, after a medical examination.

Andrabi’s role in creating provocation in the Valley had come up for discussion recently during Union home minister Rajnath Singh’s two-day visit to J&K. Videos of her speech have also been used by militants to motivate jihadis.

Lashkar militant Bahadur Ali, who is in the custody of security forces, told investigators that he was shown video speeches of Andrabi during his training at LeT camps.

The Centre anticipates trouble following Andrabi’s arrest and has asked the state police to firmly deal with troublemakers. This was also conveyed by Singh to state representative, said officials.