Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 20: Police has booked two journalists on charges of “anti-national posts” on social media and regarding a “fake news” published in a leading national newspaper.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, told Excelsior that they booked a Facebook user Masrat Zehra for frequently uploading anti-national posts with the criminal intention. “She was booked for her posts on social media platforms and not for her journalism”, he said.
He said that journalist working with the Hindu newspaper, Pirzada Ashiq was summoned for publicising “fake news” in the newspaper on a gun battle in which two militants were killed last week. “The details reflected in the news item were found factually incorrect and the said news could cause fear or alarm in the minds of public. The said news was published without seeking confirmation from the district authorities”, he said.
He said that the case registered in fake news case is not against Pirzada’s name but it is a general FIR. “We are investigating it and he was summoned”, he said.
Earlier, police in a statement said that Cyber Police Station Kashmir, Srinagar received information through reliable sources that one Facebook user namely Masrat Zehra is frequently uploading anti-national posts with the criminal intention.
“The post by the users can provoke the public to disturb the law and order and to glorify the anti-national activities etc. In this regard FIR No. 10/2020 under the relevant provision of law was registered at Cyber Police Station. The Cyber Police Station called the Facebook user Masrat Zehra to Police Station for questioning and not called to Air Cargo Complex”, the statement said.
Police said that they registered a case for fake news published in Hindu newspaper. “On 19.04.2020 an information has been received regarding a fake news item being published in the “The Hindu” newspaper by the journalist namely Pir Zada Ashiq, regarding an encounter at Shopian and subsequent developments. The details quoted in the news item were factually incorrect and could cause fear or alarm in the minds of public. The news published without seeking confirmation from the District authorities. In this regard Case FIR No. 81/2020 was registered in Police Station Anantnag and the individual was called there for questioning. The police is under duty and lawfully empowered under Cr.PC to call for questioning. The investigation in both the cases is in progress”, the statement said.
The IGP appealed the members of journalist fraternity not to publish fake and fabricated news stories, which have bearing on security of the nation and which has the potential of causing social instability and can lead to law and order problem. He further appealed that any such information be clarified and confirmed before publication.
Meanwhile, the Kashmir Press Club has condemned “harassment” and summons to journalists by police in Kashmir.
“While journalism in Kashmir had never been easy, challenges and hardships have multiplied for journalists since August 5, 2019. Even in this time of Coronavirus pandemic, journalists in Kashmir have been called to police stations and forced to present themselves to explain their stories”, the statement said.
“In this regard, we seek intervention of Home Minister Amit Shah, LG GC Murmu and Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh to issue direction that this harassment comes to an end”, the statement said.
“The KPC will also formally write to the Press Council of India and other bodies on these cases which seem to be aimed at pressuring journalists in the Valley”, the statement said.
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