Srinagar, July 10,: The National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the police summoning of The Kashmir Walla editor Fahad Shah over his reportage on the Srinagar gunfight.
Police issued summons to Mr. Shah, ordering him to present himself for questioning in connection with the stories that Kashmir Walla published while covering the gunfight in Nawakadal neighborhood of downtown Srinagar on 19 May 2020 in which two militants were killed and 19 residential houses were damaged.
On 9 July 2020, The Kashmir Walla’s editor received a formal summon from Safakadal police station saying that “your presence is necessary for the purpose of inquiry into the offense committed under section 147, 307, 109, 501, 505 IPC,”
Reacting to the news, PDP while taking to their Twitter handle said, “Third such summons. This constant scheme of intimidation only goes to establish the pattern of muzzling the vocal voices in media. Why is administration scared of journalists when everything was supposed to be better posted on August 5?”
In another tweet, the party said, “Browbeating Kashmiri media into submission is something which is not ingrained in our professional journalists. Do not stifle the voices of reason. Journalism is not a crime.” (CNS)