Police Presence in Press Enclave an Attempt to Silence Journalists, PDP Legislator Demands Relocation of Police Offices, Calls for Scrapping of J&K Media Policy, Terms It ‘Censorship’
Jammu, Mar 19, KNT: PDP legislator Waheed Parra has called for the relocation of police offices from Srinagar’s Press Enclave and Press Club, arguing that their presence suppresses press freedom and undermines independent journalism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Parra highlighted the challenges faced by the media in the region, particularly after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. He asserted that journalists were among the worst affected, with severe communication restrictions imposed at the time. “The first casualty post-August 5, 2019, was the media. Authorities attempted to create a state-sponsored press while silencing independent voices,” he said.
Parra as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust also criticized the existing media policy in Jammu and Kashmir, calling for its complete annulment rather than a mere review. “The current policy is nothing short of censorship. It is a tool to block independent journalism and establish state-controlled media,” he remarked, urging the government and the Information Minister to scrap it entirely.
Expressing concerns over the presence of security installations in media hubs, the PDP leader pointed out that a police station operates inside the Press Club in Srinagar, while two offices of the State Investigation Agency (SIA) are located within the Press Enclave. He termed these arrangements an attempt to “shoot the messenger” and stifle journalistic freedom.
“When all political leaders were incarcerated, only independent media dared to report on their condition. It is high time the government stands with independent journalists instead of intimidating them,” Parra stated.
He urged authorities to shift police stations and security offices away from Press Enclave and the Press Club, emphasizing that a free press is essential for democracy and the voice of the people must not be muzzled.[KNT]
Relocate police stations from press colony and press club: @parawahid pic.twitter.com/JgDKjKSdrp
— Kashmir News Trust༝ (@kntnewsagency) March 19, 2025
