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Media bodies in Kashmir anguished over comments attributed to IGP Kashmir

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(Asian News Hub) – The media bodies in Kashmir on Wednesday expressed anguish over the comments attributed to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, saying that if this is a part of the official policy of police then it appears to be a tactic to coerce journalists into not reporting facts on the ground.

The statement in this regard issued was endorsed by Journalist Federation of Kashmir (JFK), Kashmir Editors Guild (KEG), Kashmir Working Journalists Association (KWJA), Kashmir Press Photographers Association (KPPA), Kashmir News Television Journalist Association (KNTJA), Kashmir Video Journalists Association (KVJA), Kashmir Press Club (KPC), Kashmir Journalists Association (KJA), Anjuman Urdu Sahafat, Kashmir Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), Jammu and Kashmir Press Association (JKPA) and JK Editors Forum (JKEF).

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Pertinently, reports quoted IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar as saying that “media persons should not come closer to encounter sites and law and order situations and they should not carry live coverage of these situations. The freedom of speech and expression is subject to reasonable restrictions. They should not violate other people’s right to guarantee life or put national security in jeopardy…no operational context should be carried which is likely to incite violence or which promotes anti-national sentiments.”

The statement attributed to the IGP has created anguish among the media fraternity, the statement said, adding that “if this is a part of the official policy of police then it appears to be a tactic to coerce journalists into not reporting facts on the ground. It also seems to be a part of the string of measures taken by the authorities to suppress freedom of press in the region. Summoning journalists to police stations, filing FIRs and seeking informal explanations for their work has intensified in the past two years.”

“Journalists in Kashmir have worked under tremendous pressure for the past several decades and despite facing threats to life, liberty and property, they upheld the principles of journalism and reporting.”

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“The media in Kashmir are aware of the journalistic guidelines and ethics or situations like encounters, law and order situations and have always upheld these principles. Covering and reporting law and order situations in the region is one of the basic requirements for most news organisations and hence an essential part of the professional role of media professionals. Barring them from covering such events would mean stopping them from delivering their professional duties.”

“Press freedom is the cornerstone of a democracy and any attack on it undermines the democratic setup of which media is the fourth pillar. Any such attack on press freedom and journalism is highly distressful.”

In this backdrop, journalist bodies in Kashmir urged IGP Kashmir to put the record straight and clarify the statement attributed to him, the statement added.

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State

Man dies as tractor turns turtle in Sopore

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A man lost his life on Sunday morning as tractor turned turtle in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramula district.

Also Read: SMC Corporator Aqib Renzu in custody on charges of sexual harassment

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Quoting an official news agency KS reported that a man was critically injured on Sunday morning after a tractor in which he was travelling turned turtle at Badambagh.

He said soon after the incident, he was immediately taken to Sub District Hospital Sopore, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

A police officer confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Farooz Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Hamid Bhat resident of Badambagh.

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SMC Corporator Aqib Renzu in custody on charges of sexual harassment

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Srinagar police on Saturday said to have arrested a Srinagar Municpal Corporation (SMC) Corporator for sexual harassment, outraging modesty and online stalking.

Also Read: Man slips to death while collecting firewood in central Kashmir

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They said strong technical evidences in this matter were produced by the brave victim, the accused has been identified as Aqib Ahmed Renzu resident of Nishat Srinagar.

Case under FIR No 50/2023 U/S 354, 354A, 354D registered in RM Bagh Police station.

Srinagar police on X informed, “One SMC corporator Aqib Ahmed Renzu of Nishat Srinagar arrested for sexual harassment, outraging modesty and online stalking. Strong technical evidences in this matter were produced by the brave victim. FIR No 50/2023 U/S 354, 354A, 354D registered in RM Bagh Police station.”

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Man slips to death while collecting firewood in central Kashmir

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A man died after he slipped while collecting firewood in Rezan forest area in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Saturday.

An official told that Showkat Ahmad Tekri, son of Gh Hassan Tekri of Gujerbasti Rezan slipped and fell down from the upper reaches of the forest area, which resulted in his on spot death.

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The heavy rainfall had triggered slippery conditions in the area.

He said that soon after the incident, police reached the spot and recovered his body.

“After medico-legal formalities, his body will be handed over to her family members for the last rites,” he said. KNO

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