21 April 2020 : The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) expresses serious concern over the harassment and intimidation of two journalists in Kashmir. While Masrat Zahra a freelance photo-journalist has been booked for her posts on social media, Peerzada Ashiq, a  correspondent of The Hindu, for his reportage on an encounter. Both have been charged for their actions which say the police “may provoke the public to disturb law and order” and worse invite action under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

In a statement IJU President and former member of Press Council of India Geetartha Pathak and Secretary General and IFJ Vice President Sabina Inderjit said that such action of police against journalists is nothing but gag on press freedom and the right to freedom of speech and expression.  IJU demands immediate withdrawal of charges against Masrat who has earned accolades for her photographs and Ashiq for his reportage for a reputed national daily.

The police said that Masrat Zahra, a freelance photojournalist who reports mostly about women and children in conflict, uploaded photographs that could “provoke the public to disturb law and order”. “The user [Zahra] is also uploading posts that tantamount to glorify the anti-national activities and dent the image of law enforcing agencies besides causing disaffection against the country,” the police said in a press release.

The police added that Zahra’s social media posts are inciting young people and promoting unrest. “The user is uploading anti-national posts with criminal intention to induce the youth and to promote offences against public tranquility,” they said. Ashiq is said to have been charged for “fake news” item in the Hindu regarding an encounter at Shopian and subsequent developments.

A first information report has been filed both under the Indian Penal Code, which punishes those who induce others to commit an offence against the State or against public tranquillity.