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Thakur admits sending money to Srinagar for `charity work`
London, June 19: Britain-based Kashmiri separatist leader Ayub Thakur, who is accused of funding militants in Jammu and Kashmir, today admitted that his mercy universal organisation had sent Rs five lakh to Srinagar in last couple of months for `charity work` but claimed that the money was meant for destitute women.
London, June 19: Britain-based Kashmiri separatist
leader Ayub Thakur, who is accused of funding militants in
Jammu and Kashmir, today admitted that his mercy universal
organisation had sent Rs five lakh to Srinagar in last couple
of months for "charity work" but claimed that the money was
meant for destitute women.
Thakur, who is the trustee of mercy universal, told reporters here that the funds were channelled through Imtiaz Bazaz after he was introduced to him by the charity's office in Srinagar. Bazaz, who was arrested recently in Srinagar, had claimed that Thakur was funding militants. The state police claimed that Bazaz, editor of a local magazine, was introduced to the Thakur by woman separatist leader Ayisa Indrabi, who has been on run after the case came into light.
Thakur claimed that the funds sent to Srinagar were intended for purchasing 800 sewing machines to be distributed among destitute women. Though he denied his involvement in any funding for the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, Thakur admitted that during the last two years his organisation had "spent" over 22,000 pounds for "charity" activities.
He said certain medical institutes from India also wanted his charity to finance them in setting up mobile clinics each costing 40,000 pounds and the "funds are lying here" because of lack of proper channels to send the money. Mercy universal's funding is being investigated by Scotland Yard and the British Charity Commission after India alleged that Thakur was funding militant activities in Kashmir.
Bureau Report
Thakur, who is the trustee of mercy universal, told reporters here that the funds were channelled through Imtiaz Bazaz after he was introduced to him by the charity's office in Srinagar. Bazaz, who was arrested recently in Srinagar, had claimed that Thakur was funding militants. The state police claimed that Bazaz, editor of a local magazine, was introduced to the Thakur by woman separatist leader Ayisa Indrabi, who has been on run after the case came into light.
Thakur claimed that the funds sent to Srinagar were intended for purchasing 800 sewing machines to be distributed among destitute women. Though he denied his involvement in any funding for the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, Thakur admitted that during the last two years his organisation had "spent" over 22,000 pounds for "charity" activities.
He said certain medical institutes from India also wanted his charity to finance them in setting up mobile clinics each costing 40,000 pounds and the "funds are lying here" because of lack of proper channels to send the money. Mercy universal's funding is being investigated by Scotland Yard and the British Charity Commission after India alleged that Thakur was funding militant activities in Kashmir.
Bureau Report