Journalists in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday held a silent protest rally to denounce the murder of Rising Kashmir journalist Shujaat Bukhari. The protestors assembled at Press Enclave in Srinagar and marched towards Lal Chowk where they held a silent sit-in for around half an hour, the Greater Kashmir reported.
Bukhari and two of his personal security officers were killed by three bike-borne men as he left his office in Press Enclave on June 14.
Journalists marched carrying placards that read “We seek justice for Shujaat”, “Assassins of free thinking will never succeed”, and “Bring Shujaat’s killers to justice”. Some protestors also taped paper around their mouths in a symbolic protest against the attempt to silence the media.
The journalists also protested against Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Choudhary Lal Singh’s threat to mediapersons based in the Valley. Singh, unhappy with the reportage of the Kathua case, had warned journalists on June 22 to “mend their ways”. He was a minister in the Mehbooba Mufti-led state government, and had resigned from his post after massive outrage over his participation in a demonstration in support of an accused in the case.
The National Human Rights Commission on Monday issued notices to the Jammu and Kashmir government’s chief secretary and Director General of Police Shesh Paul Vaid in connection with Bukhari’s murder. The panel asked the government to submit information about other attacks on media persons during the last two years, in addition to details about the number of persons who died or were injured in such attacks. The commission also asked for information on the relief or rehabilitation given to the victims and their families.
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