Indian Authorities Seize Kashmiri Civilian’s Property Under UAPA

In an act of collective punishment in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, on December 2nd, police in Islamabad district (also known in state parlance as Anantnag) seized a residential property under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The property, a double-storied residential property spanning about 8167.52 square feet and valued at approximately 577,349 USD, belonged to Firdous Ahmad Bhat.

Authorities justified the seizure under Section 25 of the UAPA, claiming that the individual supports pro-freedom struggle in Kashmir. The police statement asserted that the operation adhered to “legal protocols,” with a police team and executive magistrate overseeing the attachment.

Pro-freedom groups and rights activists, however, have condemned the move as a continuation of India’s systematic policy of economic strangulation and collective punishment in Kashmir. The UAPA, a law criticized internationally for its broad and vague definitions of “unlawful activities,” has been weaponized to target individuals without transparent legal proceedings or verifiable evidence.

Such actions framed as efforts to safeguard “national sovereignty and integrity,” serve to intimidate local populations and further entrench the occupation. They emphasize that these measures target not just individuals accused of dissent but also their families and communities, perpetuating cycles of fear and insecurity.