JOURNALISTS BOOKED
Police in Kashmir has booked three journalists so far on the charges of spreading fake news and indulging in anti-national activities. Kashmir Press Club, an umbrella of all journalist bodies of Kashmir has expressed sharp concern over the attitude of the government towards Kashmir based journalists and has described the present action of police as unwarranted and aimed at silencing the voices of journalists in Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Police has booked Gowhar Geelani a local journalist for allegedly uploading objectionable social media posts. He has been charged under stringent anti-terror law UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act). This is the third FIR (first information report) against Kashmir-based journalists in the last 48 hours.
In a statement issued by J&K Police’s Cyber Cell, Mr Geelani has been accused of “indulging in unlawful activities through his posts and writings on social media platforms, which are prejudicial to the national integrity, sovereignty and security of India”.
“The unlawful activities include glorifying terrorism in Kashmir Valley, causing disaffection against the country and causing fear or alarm in the minds of public that may lead to commission of offences against public tranquility and the security of (the) state,” cyber police statement further said about Geelani.
This is an alarming situation for all Kashmir based journalists and newspapers as the thin line between the truth and national security is almost blurred and it is very difficult to redraw this line here. The booking of journalists has brought entire media fraternity and government on the path of confrontation.
