Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry congratulated the three photo-journalists from Jammu and Kashmir Mukhtar Khan, Channi Anand and Dar Yasin who won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for feature photography.
A spokesperson of the KCC&I stated that the award in recognition of the exceptional professionalism demonstrated by the journalists in adverse conditions and in the middle of a “communication blackout” was a matter of pride for not only the journalistic fraternity but the entire population.
“The media in Kashmir has been performing their duties under very difficult conditions but have not shirked from reporting the facts and voicing their opinions without fear,” a spokesman said of the traders’ body said.
The award has been conferred when Kashmir completes nine months of disruptions which have inflicted colossal economic losses with business establishments at the verge of bankruptcy and insolvency, the spokesman said.
“Many prominent members of the society continue to be behind bars. Keeping in view the holy month of Ramzaan, the KCC&I would take this opportunity to reiterate it’s appeal to the Government for release of persons who have been imprisoned since nine months,” he said, adding “Special mention needs to be made of the Prisoners of Concience Mian Abdul Qayoom, President of the Kashmir Bar Association, Nayeem Akhtar, Ali Mohammed Sagar and Shah Faesal who appear to have been detained only because of the political opinions and positions they hold with no serious charges against them.”
