Srinagar, Oct 27: Kashmiri Pandit activist Rakesh Handoo has been arrested in Haryana’s Faridabad for his alleged involvement in cyber-terror threats issued against Kashmiri Pandit employees in Jammu and Kashmir, police said.
Handoo has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other relevant provisions, with Inspector General of Police Sujit Kumar stating that investigators have obtained substantial clues pointing towards his alleged involvement in the case.
The arrest follows a series of threats in August, when purported letters containing the names and contact details of Kashmiri Pandit employees were circulated in the Valley, triggering panic among the community. In the wake of the threats and security concerns, hundreds of employees appointed under the Prime Minister’s special employment package were placed on administrative leave and asked to stay away from work for nearly three weeks.
According to the grounds of arrest served on Handoo’s wife on October 17, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered on September 21, following which he was directed to appear before Baramulla police on September 26. Sources said he allegedly failed to appear despite repeated summons.
A police team from Baramulla subsequently arrested him from Greater Faridabad in Haryana on October 17. The case involves non-bailable offences, according to the arrest documents.
Handoo had unsuccessfully contested the 2008 Assembly elections against National Conference president Farooq Abdullah from the Hazratbal constituency in Srinagar.
Reacting to the arrest, Kashmiri Pandit leader and Lok Janshakti Party leader Sanjay Saraf termed it unfortunate and called for a review of the charges. He said Handoo was arrested from his Faridabad residence and expressed concern over a community activist facing cyber-terrorism charges.
Around 6,000 Kashmiri Pandits have been provided government jobs under the Prime Minister’s special employment package, launched in 2010 to facilitate the return and rehabilitation of those displaced from the Valley following the outbreak of militancy in 1990.
The community faced renewed insecurity in 2022 after targeted attacks claimed the lives of five Kashmiri Pandits. The killings triggered protests by package employees that continued for seven months, with employees demanding transfers to Jammu. Although the government did not agree to their demand for relocation to Jammu, employees were shifted to safer locations in Srinagar and other major towns of the Valley.
Separately, following threats and targeted attacks on migrant workers in July and August, security agencies launched a major crackdown, arresting more than 3,000 suspects described by police as overground workers (OGWs), or individuals allegedly assisting terrorists. (Agencies)