NC, PDP term SIA raid at Kashmir Times’ office ‘pressure tactic’
Jammu: The National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have strongly denounced the State Investigation Agency’s raid at the Kashmir Times office in Jammu, terming it an attempt to exert pressure on the media.
According to Kashmir Media Service, both parties said the action represented a broader pattern of intimidation targeting independent media in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Reacting to the development, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Singh Choudhary said any action by the investigating agency must be strictly based on evidence of wrongdoing. “If they have done something wrong, then action should be taken. If they have done wrong, they will face the consequences. But it should not be done just to exert pressure. If you do it to put pressure, then that will be wrong,” he told reporters in Jammu.
The PDP leader, Iltija Mufti, the daughter of party chief Mehbooba Mufti, said Kashmir Times had long resisted attempts to silence it.
“Kashmir Times is one of those rare newspapers that not only spoke truth to power but refused to bend or buckle under pressure and intimidation. Raiding their offices under the guise of carrying out anti-India activities is preposterous and reeks of high-handedness,” she added.
“In Kashmir, every outlet of truth is being choked by invoking the anti-national slur. Are we all anti-nationals?” she posed.
