Arrests – Journalists

The respected veteran editor of Daily Afaaq, Ghulam Jeelani Qadri, was taken from his home by police and arrested on a non-bailable warrant issued in relation to a case dating back to 1992. He was later released on bail by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Gowhar Majeed, when police were unable to provide any clear details and specific justification for the arrest of Qadri for a case dating back some 27 years.

The case against Qadri and eight other journalists related to publication of a press-release issued by militants in 1992. Qadri, who then ran the now defunct local news agency Jammu and Kashmir (JAK) news, was arrested under Section 3 of the controversial Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act. The Act was the first anti-terrorism law legislated by the government to define and counter terrorist activities in India.

IJU president, Amar Devulapally, and secretary general and IFJ vice president, Sabina Inderjit, said the action by the police “negated the rule of law in the State, now under Governor’s rule” and demanded an apology be tendered.