South Asia Human Rights Journalist Association

Friday, May 5th, 2017Srinagar: Media persons working with different media outlets were on Friday manhandled by Indian police forces when they were discharging their duties in Sopore town. The forces personnel including SHO Sopore Mudasir Geelani attacked the photojournalists of Varmul post Eeshan Peer and Mohammad Younis of Gulistan injuring them badly.  Witness journalists present at the spot said that the police not only beat them but abused the media persons of Sopore and chased them away. Talking to media men Ehsaan Peer said: “SHO Sopore said either leave the area or I will shoot. He then started beating and abusing us. My left leg has been fractured and my left hand is also bruised. We were simply carrying out professional duties.” Mohammad Younis said: “We were covering stone pelting in the area and without any provocation SHO Sopore started to abuse us and beat us ruthlessly. SHO damaged our cameras and mobile phones also.”
Reports said that the police not only abused the journalists covering protests but also chased them away.
Pertinently, on March 16, 2017, the DO Humhama physically assaulted senior photo-journalists Tauseef Mustafa (AFP), Mubashir Khan (Greater Kashmir), Farooq Javed Khan (European Press Photo Agency), Umar Sheikh (Times Now) and Shauib Masoodi (Indian Express) Imran Nisar (DNA). The media in conflict zone Kashmir , is working under increasing and constant pressure from the state agencies like JK Police and para-military troopers.