Amnesty International said Tuesday it has suspended its Indian operationsafter its bank accounts were frozen in what it called a government”witch-hunt” against rights groups.

Non-governmental organisations have long alleged they face harassment fromPrime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist administration forhighlighting rights abuses, including in restive Indian-administeredKashmir.

Amnesty said that it came to know on September 10 that its Indian bankaccounts were frozen, forcing it to let go of staff and pause all ongoingcampaign and research work.

“This is the latest in the incessant witch-hunt of human rightsorganizations by the Government of India over unfounded and motivatedallegations,” the group said in a statement.

Amnesty said that the freezing of its accounts is “no accident” after itissued a series of reports alleging “grave human rights violations” bypolice in deadly sectarian riots in New Delhi in February, and by securityforces in Indian-administered Kashmir.

“Treating human rights organisations like criminal enterprises anddissenting individuals as criminals without any credible evidence is adeliberate attempt… to stoke a climate of fear and dismantle the criticalvoices in India,” said Avinash Kumar, Amnesty India’s executive director.

“It reeks of fear and repression, ignores the human cost to this crackdownparticularly during a pandemic and violates people’s basic rights tofreedom of speech and expression, assembly, and association guaranteed bythe Indian Constitution,” he said in the statement.

The Indian government was yet to comment on Amnesty’s announcement. APP/AFP