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JAMMU: The last few years have seen the mushrooming of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) all over the state. Most of them have been founded by individuals or groups to spread education, awareness about health problems and such other noble causes.
Of late, however, the security forces and intelligence agencies have stumbled upon some NGOs which are being used to channelise foreign money for fomenting trouble and supporting anti-national activities all over Jammu and Kashmir, according to senior Army, para-military and police officers.
While the number of such organisations is very high in the Kashmir valley, the security forces operating in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri have started keeping a close watch on some NGOs, suspecting them of ``furthering Pakistan's ideology and interests'' in the region.
``These NGOs are being used by anti-national elements while ostensibly providing relief to the people who are killed in militancy-related violence,'' a senior official said.
Prominent among such NGOs are the Kashmir Aid Foundation, the Jammu and Kashmir People Movement and the Iqra (Arabic word meaning `to read') which also runs the Himalayan Watch. These organisations have been acquiring funds by approaching pro-Muslim organisations abroad and within India to fight against what they call ``powerful Indian forces''.
Security personnel operating in Poonch and Rajouri said the office-bearers of these NGOs often preached secession and created communal tensions. They admitted grudgingly that some of these NGOs were participating in constructive activities till about a couple of years ago but seemed to have come ``under the influence of foreign mercenaries'' operating in the area, of late.
The security forces accused these NGOs of passing (distorted) informat ion regarding events in Poonch and Rajouri to their mentors in Pakistan. The NGOs have been provided with computers loaded with Urdu software and modern means of communication along with video cameras to record any protests or processions in their areas of operation, the security forces said. These recordings are then passed on to Pakistan Television (PTV) which spews venom against India, particularly the security forces.
The modern gadgets available with
these NGOs are also being used to pass vital information regarding the
movement of troops etc. to militants and the PTV. This is the reason why
any incident taking place in the remotest area of Jammu and Kashmir is
telecast on PTV within hours of it taking place, senior security officials
said.
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