2 Kashmir journalists summoned by cops for ‘sharing’ claims of ‘militant’s family’

The Jammu and Kashmir police has issued summons to two journalists for allegedly sharing a Pulwama-based family’s claims that their son, who was killed in an encounter on Sunday, was innocent, the Telegraph reported. Police had claimed that 17-year-old Inayat Mir was a “hybrid militant”.

Police summoned Kashmir Walla editor Fahad Shah and journalist Majid Hyderi for questioning on Sunday evening. Shah’s portal had filed a report on the family’s version and Hyderi had posted the family’s claims on social media.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Hyderi said, “It was nothing more than that. I had shared a story. They asked why did you share it? I told them that we are journalists of the conflict zone. At times, we have to share stories on our social media accounts…I had shared a story in which a family said one of them was innocent. I had not given any opinion, I had not commented on it because I knew there could be a problem. I had not reported the story but only shared it.”

According to the report, Hyderi was at the police station for the entire day.

However, the summons does not mention that the journalists were told to appear before the police for sharing or writing about Mir’s family’s version. “It appears that you are acquainted with the circumstances of FIR and your presence is necessary to give such information as you may possess relating to FIR for the finalisation of the investigation and arrest of the accused person,” reads the summons, according to the report.

Whether Shah visited the police station is not clear yet.

The report states that Mir was killed alongside three other militants, in his home at Naira village of Pulwama district. On Sunday, Mir’s family had held a protest against his killing in Srinagar and sought his body. Mir’s parents and younger sister have claimed that he was innocent. A video which surfaced on social media on Sunday evening purportedly shows Mir’s elder sister suggesting that he was a militant associate.

Mir’s family has been booked under the UAPA as the gunfight took place at their home, Kashmir IGP Vijay Kumar said. Speaking about Mir’s case, Kumar said it was the “best example” of how there were many who worked for the militants but were not on their list.