Srinagar, May 03 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has appreciated the role of those Kashmiri journalists who have been projecting the Kashmir cause despite heavy odds in their way.

In a massage issued today on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the APHC Chairman described the press as one of the important pillars of democracy and deplored that certain anti-democratic forces all across the globe were still hell bent upon muzzling the media.

Meanwhile a report issued by the Kashmir Media Service, today said that Indian occupied Kashmir was one of the places of the world where people associated with the press and media were carrying on their professional duties in the most difficult situation. The report revealed that eight journalists including a woman had been killed and several mediamen detained on fake charges in the occupied territory during Kashmiris’ ongoing struggle since 1989.

Forceful protest demonstrations were held in Srinagar and Udhampur areas against Indian state terrorism. Unidentified gunmen killed two civilians at Chatroo in Kishtwar.

An Indian trooper committed suicide by shooting himself with his own service rifle at Birpur army unit in Jammu, bringing suicide killings among Indian troops to 82 since January 2007.