Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police RR Swain announced on Sunday that locals supporting foreign terrorists will be prosecuted under the Enemy Agents Act.
The statement follows a series of attacks over the past two weeks, resulting in ten deaths, including seven pilgrims returning from the Shiv Khori temple and a CRPF jawan, along with several injuries.
The incidents occurred between June 9 and 12 in the districts of Reasi, Doda, and Kathua. Two Pakistani terrorists were killed in an encounter in Kathua.
The Enemy Agents Act is noted for its severity compared to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), mandating a minimum punishment of life imprisonment or the death sentence for those convicted.
“This Act is harsher than UAPA. In the act, it’s mentioned terrorist associate and acting as an agent of enemy who are coming from outside,” DGP Swain said.
DGP Swain stressed that while terrorists will be neutralized through encounters, their local supporters will face the strictest legal consequences.
“As for as fighters are concerned, they don’t fall under ambit of any investigations. They will be killed in kinetic action. But those who support them will be treated as enemy agent. In our Enemy Agents Act, the minimum punishment is life imprisonment or death.. there is no other punishment under this Act,” he said.
The DGP also revealed plans to establish special courts for the trials of individuals arrested under this Act.
Regarding the recent terror attacks in the Jammu region, Swain noted that police have made six arrests in Kathua and achieved a breakthrough by apprehending a conspirator involved in the Reasi attack.
