Kashmir journalist bodies demand withdrawal of case against senior journalist Gowhar Geelani

The Kashmir Press Club has expressed grave concern over a series of FIR registered against journalists working in Kashmir Valley and demanded their withdrawal.

Srinagar: Journalist bodies in the Kashmir Valley have condemned booking of a senior journalist Gowhar Geelani and demanded that the police withdraw the case against him.

Kashmir Press Club in a statement said that it yet again notes with grave concern the series of FIRs that have been filed against journalists in the Valley.

“The KPC stands in solidarity with all the members of the fraternity. On behalf of the fraternity, the Club will write a representation to the Press Club of India (PCI) detailing these issues and other grievances related to difficulties faced by the media in their functioning during this pandemic. In this regard a memorandum will also be written to the highest authorities including the LG of the UT of J&K,” KPC said.

“We hope the media fraternity which is working amid huge challenges should get a conducive atmosphere to deliver their day to day duties,” it said.

Kashmir Working Journalists Association (KWJA) while condemning the ongoing “offensive” against journalists launched by J&K Police, said that journalists in Kashmir won’t succumb to tactics of thought policing and intimidation.

“Journalists in Kashmir have always worked under perilous conditions, holding up values of press freedom in the face of dangers to life and liberty....Gowhar Geelani is being targeted for speaking his mind out without fear or prejudice,” KWJA said.

It said that authorities in Kashmir are in no mood to allow a democratic dissent or expression of opinion, and have adopted the policy of muzzling the press as a governance measure.

“However, we would like to remind them that the efforts to silence the press, and by extension of the populace, will only prove counterproductive. Journalists will not succumb to the tactics and will continue to hold the authorities accountable,” it said.

Police in the last three days have booked three Kashmiri journalists-Peerzada Ashiq of The Hindu, independent journalist Gowhar Geelani and young woman photo-journalist Masrat Zahra.

While Ashiq has been accused of carrying a “fake” news story about an encounter which took place in south Kashmir's Shopian district last week, Gowhar Geelani and Masrat Zahra have been booked under Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act (UAPA) for writing on social media.

Many international journalist associations have condemned the filing of FIR against these journalists and have demanded the police to withdraw cases against them.