In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference has condemned the muzzling of the press and targeting of journalists by the Indian authorities.
The NC in a meeting of its Central Working Committee (CWC) chaired by its President, Farooq Abdullah, said clampdown on journalists and media personalities is insidious. It asked the Indian government to refrain from using state apparatus from arm twisting and intimidating journalists and said there is complete intolerance of even a single critical word.
The members demanded revocation of all charges against journalists and also sought immediate release of those who are undergoing confinement. They also expressed deep concern over the environment of political intolerance.
During the meeting the individual members gave their estimation of the prevailing situation with regards to the deteriorating situation, development deficit and the rising tide of intolerance against contrarian views in IIOJK.
The meeting noted that the escalating level of violence in IIOJK is contrary to the Indian government’s claims of the return of peace in the territory.
The CWC maintained that it will fight using all peaceful, legal and democratic means to reverse the actions of August 5, 2019. The Modi-led fascist Indian regime had revoked the special status of Kashmir and split it into two union territories on August 5, 2019. The CWC said nothing has changed on ground and the much touted promises on employment generation, development and investment have proved hollow.
The meeting was attended among others by vice president, Omar Abdullah and general secretary, Ali Muhammad Saghar.—KMS
