KNB News Desk
Srinagar 17 August (KNB): As restriction were imposed in several areas of Srinagar district on Tuesday during the 8th Muharram procession, Jammu and Kashmir Police swung their lathis at Photo/video journalists covering the march of the mourners.
Authorities today, had already deployed heavy number of security forces in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir to avoid any march by the Shia muslim mourners in several areas such as Maisuma, Abiguzar, TRC, Dalgate, Budshah bridge, Gowkadal and Kralkhud.
Reportedly, several mourners, who were trying to carry protests in defiance of restrictions imposed by the government, have also been detained by the security forces in the city.
Moreover, as per reports reaching news agency Kashmir News Bureau, several Photo/Video journalists covering these marches were lathi-charged by Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel at Jehangir Chowk area of the central Kashmir’s district.
Sharing pictures of an independent photojournalist Sajad, his camera which was allegedly broken during the lathi-charge, President of the Kashmir Press Club, Shuja-ul-Haq in a tweet said, “This is extremely disturbing & condemnable. These people were just trying to do their jobs. In my experience as a conflict Journalist have seen how challenging the role of a photo/video journalist can be. Hope the authorities in J&K will look into this matter & take some action.”
Sharing the same on Twitter, National Conference Leader, Omar Abdullah said, “He’s an independent photo-journalist. His camera is his livelihood. The administration owes it to Sajad to compensate him for the loss he has suffered while working.”
Abdullah, sharing pictures of JKP personnel lathi-charging Journalists, had also tweeted, “Very unfortunate to see J&K police personnel mercilessly thrashing journalists in Srinagar. These people were simply doing their jobs – reporting the news. They don’t make the news & they don’t engineer events to create the story.”
NC Leader further said that he hopes LG Manoj Sinha will ensure no repeat of such incidents.
Earlier, J&K Police quoting Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Range, Vijay Kumar in a tweet said, “We respect the religious sentiments and practices of all but at the same time it is also our joint responsibility to defeat the ill designs of vested interest who try to disturb peaceful atmosphere.”
Moreover, Former Chief Minister of J&K and PDP Chief, Mehbooba Mufti, while sharing the viral visuals of the police beating up video/photojournalists, on Twitter, said, “Media is spending hours debating the human tragedy & unfolding crisis in Afghanistan but will they speak up for their own community in Kashmir, who were beaten to pulp today by security forces for doing their job?”
Pertinent to mention that the JK administration had announced that the Muharram procession will be allowed to carry out this year after 30 years.(KNB)