Srinagar, Apr 20 : Reacting sharply to registering of FIR against a female photojournalist, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference on Monday said ‘free press a lifeblood of democracy which must not be silenced’.
“Is this the new state of affairs? Things weren’t too good in the old state of affairs either but attempts to silence the media were not as brazenly & shamelessly implemented. Free press is lifeblood of democracy, must not be silenced. We express our solidarity with Masrat Zahra,” a Peoples Conference spokesperson said in a statement issued here.
“The principles of ‘Naya Kashmir’ seem to be against the ethos & practices of democracy & free speech. It is condemnable,” he added.
PC General Secretary and former minister Imran Reza Ansari also demanded that police should drop the charges against Miss Zahra. “Case under UA(P)A against a female journalist seems to be an overreaction from government and as such should be dropped. Constitutional guarantees can’t be undone,” he added.
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