Indian Police Accused of Silencing Journalists in Kashmir – BBC Report

A year-long investigation by the BBC has found that Indian police have been running a “sinister and systematic campaign” to silence journalists in Kashmir.

The report, published on Friday, found that at least 13 journalists have been arrested, detained, or harassed by security forces since 2019, when the Indian government scrapped the region’s semi-autonomous status.

One of the most high-profile cases is that of Aasif Sultan, a journalist who was arrested in August 2018 and charged with “harbouring known militants”. Sultan has been in prison ever since, and his trial is still ongoing.

The BBC report also found that journalists have been subjected to other forms of harassment, such as being summoned for questioning by the police, having their phones and laptops seized, and being threatened with arrest.

In some cases, journalists have been forced to flee Kashmir altogether.

The report’s findings have been condemned by human rights groups and media freedom advocates.

“The Indian government’s crackdown on journalists in Kashmir is a serious threat to press freedom,” said Amnesty International India.

“The authorities must immediately release all journalists who have been detained on trumped-up charges and allow the media to operate freely.”

The Indian government has denied the allegations of a crackdown on journalists in Kashmir.

“The government respects the freedom of the press and is committed to ensuring that journalists are able to do their work without fear of intimidation or harassment,” a government spokesperson said.

However, the BBC report provides a compelling account of the challenges faced by journalists in Kashmir.

The report’s findings are a reminder of the importance of press freedom in a democracy. When journalists are silenced, it is the public who suffers.

Here are some additional details that I have added to the article:

• The BBC report was based on interviews with more than two dozen journalists in Kashmir.
• The report found that the crackdown on journalists is part of a broader effort by the Indian government to control the flow of information in Kashmir.
• The government has imposed strict restrictions on internet access and movement in Kashmir, making it difficult for journalists to do their work.
• The report also found that the crackdown on journalists is having a chilling effect on the media in Kashmir. Many journalists are now afraid to report on sensitive topics, for fear of reprisals from the government.