Srinagar: Kashmir Working Journalists Association (KWJA) has taken strong note of today’s attack on photojournalists by government forces in Heff- Shirmal area of Shopian district.
Four photojournalists were hit by pellets fired by government forces when they were covering protests during a gunfight in Heff-Shirmal.
KWJA members express sympathies with the photojournalists, who have been injured in the line of duty and pray for their speedy recovery.
“We at KWJA believe the repeated attacks on media fraternity is an attempt to muzzle press freedom and to prevent journalists from performing their professional duties,” the KWJA said in a statement issued here.
Like in the rest of India, journalists in Kashmir are coming under unwarranted threats and scrutiny, from both state and non-state players, it said. “It is no surprise that India has dipped on the press freedom index, prompting global watchdog – RSF to issue an incident report on India.”
It would be in the national interest for the authorities in India, as well as J&K, to improve their record for press freedom, rather than resort to authoritative measures, that further malign their image.
KWJA seeks intervention from J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik and D G Police Dilbag Singh to put an end to the attacks on journalists.
