At least five journalists working with a local newspaper in Srinagar have resigned after militants put out a list of over a dozen journalists, accusing them of being informers of government forces, reported NDTV.
Police say The Resistance Front (TRF), which is an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, is behind the threats. A First Information Report, or FIR, under anti-terrorist law UAPA has been registered and investigations have been launched.
“The content of the post clearly depicts the intention of terrorists and anti-national elements. They have put the life of people, especially media persons, in danger by publicly calling them corrupt and giving direct threat to their lives. In this regard, an FIR stands registered,” a police officer said, as per the report.
Official sources said around a dozen suspects have been rounded up by the police and are being questioned for their alleged links with TRF.
“We have rounded up suspects for being over ground workers (OGWs) of TRF. The detentions are not exactly linked to threats against media houses,” said an officer.
As per the report, three reporters have published resignations on their social media pages to avoid any trouble, as militants have threatened to target anyone working for three media houses in Srinagar.
A young reporter who was covering the civic beat says he has been accused of propagating the army narrative. He chose to leave his job.
“I have been reporting about civic issues, water, drains, and transport. I have never reported anything on army or covered any army function so far. Yet they have branded me as an Army informer,” the reporter said.
