IIOJK journalist body calls for immediate release of Sajad Gul
Srinagar, January 10 (KMS): In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Kashmir Press Club has called for immediate release of journalist Sajad Gul and urged the authorities to drop all cases against him to allow him pursue his media education and career in journalism.
Sajad Gul was detained in an Indian Army raid on January 5 and was later handed over to the police.
He has been arrested by the Indian police days after he posted a video of family members and relatives raising anti-India slogans after the martyrdom of their kin, during a cordon and search operation (CASO), in Srinagar.
The Kashmir Press Club in a statement issued in Srinagar said that it was deeply disturbed by the arrest of Sajad Gul, who apart from working as trainee reporter with The Kashmir Walla, is presently pursuing Masters in Convergent Journalism from Central University of Kashmir.
It urged the authorities to immediately drop the alleged charges against Sajad Gul for his journalistic work, adding that the FIR against him is purely aimed at criminalising the reportage and journalistic work in Kashmir.
Expressing its concern over continued harassment and threats of legal action against journalists in IIOJK by the police authorities, the Press Club in its statement said that the threats, summons and arrests of the media persons had effectively restrained independent and investigative reporting from the region.
Demanding an immediate release and dropping of charges against Sajad Gul, the club has further urged the authorities to create conducive environment for journalists operating in Kashmir, free from threats, summons and arrests.
