Front Line Defenders raises concern over oppression faced by rights activists, journalists in IIOJK
Decries continued incarceration Sajad Gul despite quashing of PSA against him
Dublin: Ireland-based human rights organization, the Front Line Defenders has raised concerns regarding the silencing and oppression faced by human rights defenders and journalists in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir especially since Modi regime illegally abrogated the territory’s special status.
According to Kashmir Media Service, highlighting the continued detention of Kashmiri journalist Sajad Gul, the Front Line Defenders in a statement posted on its website said that despite the IIOJK High Court’s order in November 2023 to quash Public Safety Act (PSA) charges against him, he remains incarcerated far from his family home.
It called upon Indian authorities to immediately release Sajad Gul and drop all criminal proceedings against him. It further urged the authorities to take adequate measures to ensure that human rights defenders in occupied Jammu and Kashmir can carry out their legitimate work without fear of reprisals.
Sajad Gul was initially arrested on 5 January 2022, after he posted a video of a family protesting against the killing of their family member in a so-called cordon and search operation in Srinagar.
The Dublin-based HR organization said, “Since January 2022, human rights defender and journalist from Kashmir Sajad Gul has been detained under the draconian Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA)”, adding that in November 2023, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed the PSA proceedings against him and ordered for his immediate release.
“Sajad Gul has reported on human rights issues in Indian administered Kashmir, including alleged fake encounters of civilians, forced demolition drives, and access to essential services during COVID-19”.
“On 15 January, Sajad Gul was granted bail, but was immediately arrested under the PSA to prevent his release and transferred to Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu, over 300 kilometers from his family. Five months later, he was arbitrarily transferred to Bareilly Jail in Uttar Pradesh, further complicating visits from his family due to the distance and financial constraints”.
“Before his arrest, Sajad Gul faced false cases due to his reporting and endured consistent judicial harassment. In February 2021, he was charged with rioting, trespassing, and assault for reporting on a forced demolition drive in Bandipora district”.
The Front Line Defenders said, “In October 2021, he was booked ….. after reporting on an alleged fake encounter of a young man in Bandipora district. On 13 October 2021, police officials visited his residence warned him against continuing his journalism, raided his house, and threatened him with the arrest of his family members if he continued reporting on these issues”.
