Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 9: Police today arrested two self-styled journalists on charges of alleged extortion in the Gund area of Ganderbal district.
According to the police, on September 8, they received a written complaint from Gulzar Ahmed Kasana, the son of Abdul Rehman Kasana and a resident of Surfraw Gund.
The complaint, as quoted by police, stated that two individuals, who claimed to be journalists, visited his residence in Surfraw and demanded a bribe of Rs 5,000 from him. This demand was made as Gulzar Ahmed Kasana was in the process of constructing a residential house in Surfraw.
“The accused individuals took Rs 500 in cash from him and instructed him to pay the remaining amount of Rs 4,500 within two days. Additionally, they warned that if he failed to make the payment, they would demolish his house,” the police stated.
Responding swiftly, a police team led by PSI Jameel Ahmad of PS Gund, under the supervision of SDPO Kangan Muzaffar Jan, apprehended both individuals who claimed to be journalists.
The two arrested individuals were identified as Sohail Maqbool, son of Mohd Maqbool Mir and a resident of Bamiluna Kangan, and Kaiser Farooq, son of Farooq Ahmed Mir and a resident of Cheerwan Kangan, according to the police.
Notably, the police received complaints regarding individuals on scooters with mobile phones and cameras attempting to blackmail and extort members of the public in the general Gund area.
“Several complainants have approached the Police Station and have identified the duo as being involved in blackmail attempts against them as well,” the police noted.
In response, a case has been registered at PS Gund under FIR No. 53/2023, involving relevant sections of the law, and further investigation is underway.
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