Examiner News Desk | Srinagar:
The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) has arrested three publishers in connection with the ongoing investigation into the publication and distribution of two controversial books allegedly containing “highly inappropriate content” and glorifying separatist leaders, officials said on Sunday.
The arrests followed coordinated raids conducted in Jammu and Delhi as part of a wider crackdown on the publication and circulation of the books, which were recently found in government school libraries across Jammu and Kashmir.
The arrested publishers have been identified as Inderpaul of Jammu-based Oberoi Book Service, and Amardeep Singh and Girish Arora of Noida-based Dominant Publishers.
Officials said the investigation is centred on the role of the publishers in printing and distributing the books, adding that further arrests are likely as the probe progresses.
The case stems from an FIR registered by the Counter Intelligence unit on July 4 under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity, endangering the sovereignty and integrity of India, and circulating objectionable material. Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has also been invoked.
The books under investigation are Personalities and Legends of J&K, authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena and published by Oberoi Book Service, and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir, authored by Sushant Giri and published by Dominant Publishers.
According to officials, 123 copies of one title were supplied to government institutions in Jammu, Ramban and Udhampur districts, while 128 copies of the other were distributed to schools in Jammu and Baramulla districts.
Both publishing houses had earlier been blacklisted by the government. Counter Intelligence teams also conducted searches at their premises on July 6 as part of the investigation.
The controversy has prompted administrative action within the School Education Department. On Saturday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha suspended eight officials, terminated the services of a contractual employee, and ordered a high-level inquiry into the procurement and circulation of the books in government schools.
The School Education Department had withdrawn both books from circulation on July 3 following objections from several political parties, including the BJP and the Congress, which alleged that the publications glorified separatism.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing, with further arrests and additional action likely in the coming days.
