4 Kashmir Journalists Face Arrest, Quizzed for 2nd Day

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar | File Photo

IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, says it’s not harassment of journalists, media men shouldn't spread false news

Srinagar: Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar on Thursday asked journalists not to“interfere unnecessarily in investigation of case by spreading false narrative” even as he said four scribes being questioned by police would be arrested“after collection of solid evidence.”

Police said that four journalists were quizzed in connection with the investigations related to a blog—Kashmirfightwordpress.com case and they will again be questioned tomorrow (Friday) while scrutiny of their gadgets have shown they had numbers of Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

The police also said that the four journalists, whose houses were raided on Wednesday, were in touch with many virtual numbers as well.

“During investigation of FIR 82/2020 Police Station Kothibagh, credible evidence was found which links the following persons with the mastermind who is behind the blog [email protected] ,” Inspector General of Police Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar was quoted as saying.

“Based on this evidence, search was conducted at four places with search warrant from Special Designated Court under NIA Act, Srinagar and some mobiles, laptops and other gadgets were seized on 8th August,2021,” he said, adding the four journalists are: Mir Hilal S/O Ghulam Ahmed Mir, R/O- Bemina, Journalist- TRTworld.com, Md Shah Abbas S/O Abdul Khaliq Shah, R/O- Yaripora, Anantnag presently at- Rajbagh, freelance journalist Azhar Qadri S/O Farooq Ahmed, RO Bemina, Journalist- The Tribune and Showkat Motta S/O Abdul Samad Motta R/O- Lalbazar, who was editor-in-chief of The Narrator. Currently working at a wholesale shop.

“All the above four persons were called for questioning and were allowed to go in the evening and have been called again tomorrow,” the IGP said, adding that“Currently scrutiny of electronic gadgets is going on. Various numbers of Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi have been found. They are also in contact with many virtual numbers.”

He said that it wasn't an issue of harassing journalists. The IGP advised all media persons & bodies not to spread false news and don't interfere unnecessarily in investigation of case by spreading false narrative.“It is an investigation of an extremely sensitive case. After collection of solid evidences they would be arrested in this case,” the IGP Kashmir said

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