STOP THE HARASSMENT OF PRESS IN KASHMIR

Photo by Momin Tariq Bhat
Video by Marcella Boccia

Journalists stage sit-in at Press Enclave
'Our identity is camera and pen, don't harass us'
GK NEWS NETWORK
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Srinagar, Aug 25: Valley-based journalists Thursday protested attacks on media men by police and paramilitary forces while discharging their duties on ground.
Scores of journalists from print and electronic media organizations, including New Delhi-based ones, held a sit-in at the Press Enclave here. Holding banners and placards reading "End harassment or press" and "Our identity is camera and pen, don't harass us", the journalists condemned attacks on them, particularly the one in Old City on past Friday.
"For the past 20 years, media has been at the receiving end. Many of our colleagues have been beaten and attacked while they discharge their duties," said journalist Altaf Hussain. "There is thinking and perception in police and CRPF higher ups that wherever media reaches, trouble starts there. This is a completely wrong perception," he said, addressing journalists who wore black bands on arms as a mark of protest. "People are seen protesting in different places despite media presence. And when media reaches there the next day, they complain why media men were not available during the protests. So the police and CRPF officers have to change this perception and allow the media men to perform their duty without any hassles."
Hussain said the forces beat up journalists when they fail to handle situations. "Tomorrow such attacks can cause death to any or our colleagues. Who will be responsible that time?" he asked.
He said the Director General of Police Kuldeep Khuda called him and assured to look into the matter. "We shall hold a meeting with the police chief who has assured to look into the issue of attacks on media," Hussain said, asking the government "to let media men function smoothly or else issue an order seeking that the Fourth Estate is not required in J&K."
Journalist Shujaat Bukhari strongly condemned curbs on media men. "We happen to perform our duty on ground. We are a part and parcel of this society. But it is sad that police and paramilitary forces often rough up journalists for none of their fault," he said.
Referring to Nowhatta incident, where two photojournalists were roughed up on past Friday, Bukhari said "it was not the case of mistaken identity, as put forth by a minister." "It was a deliberate attempt to keep media away from performing their duty on ground," he said. "We don't want any confrontation with anyone. But beating and thrashing of journalists is intolerable."
He thanked the International Federation of Journalists, South Asian Media Commission and Reporters Sans Frontiers for supporting the Valley-based journalists.
At least three dozen journalists from local and national newspapers and TV channels participated in the sit-in, which lasted for about an hour.

Photo by Momin Tariq Bhat
Video by Marcella Boccia

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STOP VIOLENCE