MM staff reporter
Srinagar: In another case of use of force against journalists in Kashmir four photojournalists were injured due to pellet firing by government forces at Shopian in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. The injured include Hindustan Times photojournalist Waseem Andrabi; Rising Kashmir photo journlaist Nisar-ul-Haq; Kashmir Essence reporter Junaid Gulzar, Mir Burhan of ANN.
Reports said that a group of photojournalists was covering the gunfight in Shirmal orchards when the government forces shot several pellet fires at them injuring many.The photojournalists suffered injuries in face and neck and were shifted to primary health centres for treatment.
Reporters without Borders or Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), an international body for journalists, on Tuesday called upon the Indian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the pellet firing at journalists in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.Meanwhile, Reporters without Borders or Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), an international body for journalists, on Tuesday called upon the Indian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the pellet firing at journalists in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Meanwhile, various Kashmir journalist associations on Tuesday condemned the attack on photojournalists by the forces during the gunfight.
Jammu Kashmir Editors Forum on Tuesday condemned the attack on photojournalists and urged government to ensure safety and protection of media persons working in Kashmir. “It is their constitutional and moral duty to provide a conducive environment for media persons.”
JKEF while strongly condemning the incident, called for a strong action against those who were involved in the act.
It further impressed upon the state and central Governments to improve their record for press freedom, “rather than resort to authoritative measures, that further malign their image”.
JKEF seeks intervention from J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik and DG Police Dilbag Singh to put an end to the attacks on journalists, said the statement.
Taking to Twitter, Omar termed the incident as ‘highly unfortunate’.
“Highly unfortunate reports about journalists injured, including some with pellet injuries, while covering clashes in South Kashmir. I condemn this incident. The indiscriminate use of force, often without any accountability, will always be counterproductive,” Omar tweeted.
The association also urged the Governor Satya Pal Malik and Director General of Police Dilbag Singh to look into the matter and order a magisterial enquiry into the incident followed by strict action against the erring personnel.
Over a Million Pakistanis citizens were made IDPs or refugees in FATA in Pakistan. All most every other week, Pakistani Army Chief authorizes Death sentences. Thousands of Baluchi and Pashtuns are missing. Hundreds and Hundreds of Children are openly abused at truck stop across Pakistan. Google it. Pakistan Punjabi Army used heavy artillery, helicopter gun ships to kill its own citizens in FATA, Balochistan. Have you ever seen any footage of that even on YouTube. The so called journalists you are referring here are hard core Islamists jihadi supporter. Have they ever shown Terrorists firing using AK 47. Those Islamist Journalists are only there to show India Army Look bad. They are no Journalists. I am glad that somebody took acon them.