FIR lodged after politicians receive Hizb threat letters

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 13

The Jammu Police on Sunday registered a first information report (FIR) to investigate the threat letters allegedly issued by pro-Pakistan terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) to Jammu-based politicians.

After a threat letter was delivered at the Congress headquarters at Shahidi Chowk, an FIR was registered at the Pir Mitha police station.

According to the police, the threat has been issued through a letter written in Urdu on the proscribed terror group’s letterhead.

The letter, signed by a “self-styled divisional commander” of the HM, named 17 senior politicians of various national and regional parties and RSS functionaries. The letter, delivered at the Congress headquarters, was addressed to former minister and vice-president of J&K Congress, Raman Bhalla.

According to the police, a case under sections 121-A (waging war against the Government of India) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, and Sections 13 (unlawful activity), 16 and 18 (terrorist act) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act (UAPAA), 2019, has been registered.

Letter delivered at party office

A letter addressed to me was delivered at the party office on Saturday. I thought someone might have sent a letter to highlight a public issue. I was shocked to see that it was a threat letter from the Hizbul Mujahideen. —Raman Bhalla, Congress Leader

“A letter addressed to me was delivered at the party office on Saturday. I thought someone might have sent a letter to highlight a public issue. I was shocked after opening as it was a threat letter written in Urdu on the letter-head of the Hizbul Mujahideen,” Bhalla told The Tribune. “Stay away from political activities or face the consequences. You have become an obstacle in our struggle and hence, you have become a target. If you do not keep yourself away from political activities, get ready for death,” Bhalla said while quoting from the threat letter. Bhalla’s relative, Dr Ashok Bhalla, had been killed in 1990-91 in Chatha in the Satwari area.