Kashmiri Pandit activist arrested over threats to migrant workers in Kashmir valley

Kashmiri Pandit activist Rakesh Handoo, alias Bunty, was arrested in Faridabad by J&K Police over allegations of circulating fabricated militant threat letters targeting migrant employees and workers in Kashmir. The arrest followed a complaint by a PMRP employee posted in Baramulla.J&K Police arrest activist over alleged threats to migrant employees- (Photo-ITG)Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested Kashmiri Pandit activist Rakesh Handoo, alias “Bunty,” in Haryana’s Greater Faridabad over allegations of circulating fabricated militant threat letters targeting minority employees and migrant workers in the Kashmir Valley.A special team of Baramulla Police, in coordination with local police, detained Handoo from his residence on October 17 and subsequently moved him on transit remand.The arrest stems from FIR No. 151/2026 registered at Baramulla Police Station under Section 66F (cyberterrorism) and Section 84C of the Information Technology Act. The investigation was initiated following a complaint by Rohit Raina, a Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package (PMRP) employee posted in the Finance Department in Baramulla.According to investigators, Handoo allegedly used public social media platforms to repeatedly share, modify and circulate threatening digital circulars purportedly issued by a militant outfit calling itself the “United Liberation Council” (ULC). The circulars allegedly identified minority employees and migrant workers as targets, creating fear and panic among members of the community, particularly those employed in the Valley. Police officials said that while Indian cyber cells had taken action against the original terror-linked social media accounts, Handoo was allegedly among the prominent accounts that reposted and amplified the threat letters online.Investigators further alleged that Handoo had previously been served notices under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), directing him to appear for questioning in Baramulla. His alleged failure to comply with the notices led to his arrest, according to the information provided. - Ends