Barring journalists from covering R-Day: KJA demands strict action against those responsible

Srinagar, Jan 26: Kashmir Journalists Association (KJA) has strongly condemned the government’s repressive act of barring journalists from covering Republic Day event in Srinagar’s SK Stadium.
A KJA spokesman said there is no justification whatsoever in stopping journalists from doing their legitimate duties.
“Today’s incident underlines the fragility of press freedom in Jammu and Kashmir and how blatantly the government institutions like police, misuses its powers to muzzle the press,” it said.
The incident comes days after journalists were stopped by police to cover newsworthy events in Baramaulla and showering them with pellets in Shopian.
Four journalists were injured by pellets in south Kashmir’s Shopian while covering protests there.
“Yet no responsibility was fixed on the erring personnel for the life-threatening attack,” KJA said.
“We demand strict action against the police officers responsible for stopping journalists at today’s event and also those responsible for harassing and attacking journalists in past. Else it will be considered as a deliberate policy by the authorities to ensure restrictions/clampdown on the press in the Valley,” it added.

Sajad, Congress condemn barring of journos

Srinagar, Jan 26: Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman and former minister, Sajad Gani Lone on Saturday condemned the attitude of the administration towards press who were barred from performing their professional duties at SK Stadium in Sonwar today.
Lone said this s for the first time that media persons were barred from covering Republic Day function. He also said that Governor Satya pal Malik should take serious note of it.
“Condemn the attitude of the current administration towards press. They boycotted Republic Day function in Srinagar after some of their colleagues were stopped.This is the first time ever it has happened. @jandkgovernor needs to take serious note,” Sajad Lone tweeted.
Lone further said that journalism and journalists can’t be defined through security prism, saying that civilian space is a sacred territory in Kashmir and should not be constricted.
“You can’t define journalism and journalists through the security prism. And stop people on the basis of adverse reports. Whatever falls in the ambit of civil as in civilian— is and has to be accepted. Civilian space is a sacred territory in Kashmir. Please don’t constrict it,” Lone wrote on twitter.
Meanwhile, the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) too condemned the treatment meted out to Journalists by the Security Grid, saying that barring journalists to cover the Republic Day Parade was most unfortunate and unacceptable.
Commenting on the treatment meted out Journalists today, JKPCC President G.A. Mir expressed anguish over not allowing journalists to cover the important function.
He said the Governor Administration should have taken effective measures to facilitate journalists to cover the parade, not allowing them to enter the Stadium is really astonishing, which has sent a wrong signal among the people, especially the journalist fraternity.
I express my dismay over the attitude of Security Grid towards Journalist fraternity G A. Mir added and said in a democratic set up no authority can stop journalists to cover the events especially the official functions