Calls it ‘an attack on freedom of press’

Srinagar, Jul 23  A local news gathering agency of Kashmir Valley on Monday staged protest against the authorities for filing an FIR against them over publishing a letter of a militant.
According to the KNS correspondent, the protesters led by Editor-in-chief of Current News Service (CNS), Rasheed Rahi marched towards commercial Hub Lal Chowk from Srinagar’s press enclave to protest against the registration of an FIR.
The scribes working with CNS including district reporters who were joined by journalists affiliated with other organizations were carrying banners and placards reading slogans.
Rahi while talking to media persons said that it an attack on freedom of press.
He said that the registration of FIR against them is tantamount to muzzling the media.
The media persons later dispersed peacefully.

CNS reporters also hold a peaceful demonstration at Press Club Jammu. The protesting reporters denounced the police action and asked authorities to stop harassing journalists. The protest was led by Muhammad Yaseen. Reporters from Chenab Valley led by Mansoor Ahmed were also part of the protest.

After the culmination of protest, a meeting was convened in which reporters denounced the lodging of FIR. Senior journalist and Colouminst Ashraf Hamad and other reporters including Tariq Yousuf, Manzoor Pakharpuri, Mushtaq-ul-Islam, Haiya Javaid, GM Rather, Muneeb-ul-Islam and others. Ashraf Hamad threw light on the ethics of journalism