Srinagar :A forum of journalists in Kashmir Saturday strongly condemned the ‘threats’ issued by former Senior Superintendent of Police and ‘senior People’s Democratic Party leader’ Syed Ashiq Hussain Bukhari to the editor of a local daily.
Kashmir Journalists Corps (KJC) in a statement said that editor of Kashmir Reader Showkat A Motta, who is one of the founding members of the forum, was threatened by Bukhari over the telephone on Friday. This followed the report published in the newspaper about Bukhari sharing stage with PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in Kupwara.
“Bukhari threatened to teach Showkat a lesson for carrying the news item. The newspaper had fully fulfilled its journalistic obligation when it called Bukhari on Thursday for his comment on the story. The newspaper had also talked to PDP leaders and quoted them in the story keeping in view the journalist ethics and duties,” the group said.
A meeting of the forum was held here on Saturday to discuss the issue. Members present in the meeting expressed anger and dismay over Bukhari’s conduct. Taking serious note of the threat, members termed it as an infringement with the freedom of expression guaranteed under the constitution.
“It was decided that KJC would not lie low and take up the issue with the higher echelons of power to restrain Bukhari from executing his plans. KJC also appeals to PDP to clarify its stand on Bukhari who was described as a senior leader in the press statement,” the forum said.
“KJC also wants to put it on record that if anything happens to Showkat or any other member, Bukhari would be wholly and solely responsible,” the statement read further.
The forum has also decided to send a communiqué to Election Commission and chief electoral officer of Jammu and Kashmir seeking action against Bukhari for resorting to ‘threats’ to stop the just reporting during elections.
“KJC has also appealed to the union home minister Rajnath Singh, director