Non-governmental organizations have long alleged they face harassment from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist administration for highlighting rights abuses, including in restive Indian-administered Kashmir. Amnesty said that it came to know on September 10 that its Indian bank accounts were frozen, forcing it to let go of staff and pause all ongoing campaign and research work. "This is the latest in the incessant witch-hunt of human rights organizations by the Government of India over unfounded and motivated allegations," the group said in a statement. "Treating human rights organizations like criminal enterprises and dissenting individuals as criminals without any credible evidence is a deliberate attempt... to stoke a climate of fear and dismantle the critical voices in India," said Avinash Kumar, Amnesty India's executive director. The Indian government was yet to comment on Amnesty's announcement.

Source: Dhaka Tribune September 29, 2020 06:45 UTC