A prominent journalist in Indian-administered Kashmir has been arrested by police and accused of “glorifying terrorism” and “spreading fake news” in the disputed territory, where a running press crackdown has intensified.
Fahad Shah, the editor of Kashmir Walla news portal, had already been questioned several times for his reporting by officers in recent years. He was detained on Saturday for "glorifying terrorists, distributing fake news, and instigating the general public," according to Kashmir police.
Shah's Facebook remarks, according to a police statement issued the day after his arrest, had harmed "the image of law enforcement institutions." The Committee to Protect Journalists requested Shah's release and urged Indian authorities to protect Kashmir's journalistic freedom.
Shah’s arrest demonstrated “authorities’ utter disregard for press freedom and the fundamental right of journalists to report freely and safely”, Steven Butler of the Washington-based watchdog said. Dozens of journalists in Indian-controlled Kashmir have regularly been summoned by police and questioned on their work since 2019, when New Delhi revoked the territory’s partial autonomy and brought it under direct rule. They have also been increasingly subject to harassment, arrests, raids, and prosecution on “terrorism” related charges.
Kashmir has been split between India and Pakistan since both gained independence from British control in 1947, and both claim full ownership of the ancient Himalayan state.
Over 500,000 Indian forces are stationed in the province, combating a long-running insurgency led by separatist factions seeking independence or a union with Pakistan.
Tens of thousands of people, largely civilians, have been killed in the war.
