New Delhi, Jan 14: A Delhi court on Wednesday convicted Kashmiri separatist and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi in a UAPA case.

Additional Sessions Judge Chanderjit Singh ordered their conviction under sections 18 (Punishment for conspiracy) and 38 (Offence relating to membership of a terrorist organisation) of UAPA.

The quantum of sentence will be decided on January 17.

Andrabi was charged by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with waging war against India through hate speeches, as well as criminal conspiracy and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with two associates.

Andrabi, who founded the all-women separatist group Dukhtaraan-e-Millat (DeM) in 1987, was arrested in April 2018.

The group was subsequently banned.

Srinagar, Jan 14: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said the profiling of mosques and imams in Kashmir was an interference in the religious matters of Muslims.

The former chief minister said if religious places require profiling, it should start with temples across the country.

“The latest order for mosques is interference in our religious affairs. If they have to do it, then they should start with other religions. Let them seek the details about priests in temples, and in which temple can shudras go and in which can Brahmins go,” Mufti told reporters here.

The PDP president said the authorities should also seek information about the money that is paid for entering temples.

“The police already have the record of the number of mosques in J-K and how much land they have. But now, seeking details of maulvis, imams, their photos, Aadhar cards and doing this much profiling are an attempt to intimidate and keep Muslims away from their religion in J-K,” she said.

Mehbooba said imams and the management committees of mosques are terrified by the profiling exercise.

“This five-page proforma has been made in such a way that it seems they are not imams or maulvis or teachers or members of masjid committees, but they are OGWs (over ground workers). The way OGWs are harassed and asked to give all their details in a police station, in the same way, details are being sought from mosques as if these are crime scenes,” she said.

The former chief minister dared the government to do similar profiling of gurudwaras and churches.

Mehbooba said she feared that the government might replicate this profiling with mosques across the country.

“First, they laid their hands on the waqf properties, and now they want to lay their hands on mosques which are not even waqf properties. They are also seeking details about sects.

“What do they have to do about the sects with which we are associated? Mosques are open for all irrespective of sects. It is not like that Dalits cannot enter,” she said.

Mehbooba said it was unfortunate that the government is silent and they are not talking about this.

“They have a habit that wherever they fail, they say this was done by PDP and Mufti. They have no answer to any question,” she said.

On the dismissal of five government employees, the PDP president said people are arrested or terminated from employment just based on accusations.

“Has it been proved in any court of law or investigations? Did they get an opportunity to present their case that they are innocent? What is this? How much hatred do they have against Muslims?” she asked.

Asked about the demand made by some BJP leaders for a separate Jammu state, Mehbooba said they will suffer the most if this demand were met.

“When Darbar Move was suspended in 2019, they felt restless. When they seek a separate state for Jammu, Jammu will suffer the most,” she said.

Mehbooba said the controversy around the setting up of the National Law University was an issue for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to resolve.

On Abdullah’s statement on the Indus Water Treaty, she said the chief minister wanted to toe the BJP line on the issue.

“Weaponising water is against humanity. I think it is against humanity to stop water flow to any country. Omar wants to toe the same line as that of the BJP that they have to deprive the people of Pakistan of water, then be it.

“But I want to ask Omar about our power projects which were given by Farooq Abdullah to the NHPC because of which we are suffering huge losses? Does Omar guarantee us that the losses we faced because of giving power projects to NHPC on peanuts, would the government of India provide relief to the people of J-K for that? Will they compensate us for the losses?” she asked.

Bandipora, Jan 14: On the eve of the ensuing Mehraj-Alam, a team of Food Safety Officers comprising officials from the Intelligence-cum-Legal Cell, along with the Food Safety team Bandipora, conducted an extensive inspection drive in the main town of Bandipora. The inspection was carried out under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner Food Safety, Kashmir.

During the drive, various Food Business Operators (FBOs), including bakers, butchers, restaurants, and grocery shops, were inspected. Several FBOs were found violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Consequently, a cumulative fine of ₹28,000 was imposed on them.

In addition, around 60 kilograms of prepared food, found unfit for human consumption, was destroyed on the spot. All butchers operating in the area were strictly instructed to install glass frames outside their premises to ensure hygienic display of meat, failing which stern action shall be initiated against the defaulters under the relevant rules. The Food Business Operators were also sensitized about the importance of maintaining proper hygienic and sanitary conditions in their establishments.

Meanwhile, Commissioner, Food and Drugs Administration, Samita Sethi, has emphasized upon all enforcement officers of the Food Safety Department to further intensify inspection drives across the UT. She has also urged consumers to remain vigilant and report any food-related complaints on the toll-free helpline number 104.

The Food Safety Department reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring the availability of safe and wholesome food to consumers.