Srinagar, Jul 12: The Counter Intelligence Unit of Jammu has arrested three publishers as part of an ongoing investigation into two controversial books that were found in government school libraries in J&K, officials said on Sunday.
The arrests followed coordinated raids in Jammu and Delhi and are linked to allegations that the books contained content considered highly inappropriate and supportive of separatist narratives.
Those arrested have been identified as Inderpaul of Jammu-based Oberoi Book Service, along with Amardeep Singh and Girish Arora of Noida-based Dominant Publishers. Investigators are examining their role in the printing and distribution of the books.
The case stems from an FIR registered on July 4 under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The action was initiated after two books in government libraries were accused of glorifying separatist leaders.
The books under scrutiny are Personalities and Legends of J&K by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena, published by Oberoi Book Service, and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir by Sushant Giri, published by Delhi based Anurag Prakashan.
Official said both Oberoi Book Service and Dominant Publishers had already been blacklisted by the government. Counter intelligence teams had searched their premises on July 6.
According to the investigation, 123 copies of one book were supplied to schools in Jammu, Ramban and Udhampur districts, while 128 copies of the other were distributed in Jammu and Baramulla.
The controversy has also triggered administrative action. Recently, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha suspended eight School Education Department officials, terminated a contractual employee and ordered an inquiry into the procurement and circulation of the books.
The School Education Department had withdrawn both books on July 3 following objections from political parties, including the BJP and Congress, which alleged that the publications promoted separatist ideology. The official said the investigation is continuing and more arrests are likely.
