The CID Wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police organized a one-day outreach program focused on combatting the misuse of vulnerable Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) for terror financing (TF). Held at PCR Kashmir, the event was a joint effort with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
The primary aim of this program was to raise awareness among the office bearers of various NPOs in the Kashmir valley about their potential exploitation for terror financing by terrorist organizations, whether based in Jammu and Kashmir or elsewhere. Recent cases have highlighted the need for such initiatives. Approximately 50 representatives from different Kashmir-based NPOs actively participated in the program.
The event was co-chaired by Omprakash Singh, IRS, JDD MHA, New Delhi, and Farooq Qaiser, JKPS, SSP (FIU) CID Hqrs J&K. Experts from MHA, New Delhi engaged with the participants, covering a wide range of topics. These discussions included the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) provisions in relation to NPOs, Income Tax regulations concerning charitable organizations, and the misuse of NPOs for terror financing. Informative PowerPoint presentations featuring case studies were also shared, leaving the participants highly appreciative of the entire exercise.
The participants attentively listened to the speakers throughout the program and raised questions and concerns, all of which were addressed thoroughly. Such programs have been conducted in the Union Territory as part of an ongoing process, but this marks the first time the Jammu and Kashmir Police has collaborated with MHA in this regard.
Nitish Kumar, IPS, IGP CID J&K, praised the remarkable work undertaken by NGOs on various social and developmental fronts in Kashmir. However, he emphasized the need for vigilance and caution to prevent unscrupulous elements from misusing these platforms for illegal purposes such as terrorist financing and human trafficking. SSP (FIU) CID Hqrs J&K expressed gratitude on the occasion.
R R Swain, IPS, Special DG CID J&K, announced that a similar program for Jammu-based NPOs will be conducted at DPL Jammu on October 20, 2023.