Kashmir Press Club deregistered in Srinagar

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 20 January 2022

The Kashmir Press Club was deregistered, with the administration claiming it was to protect press freedom. This action has been criticized as a move to silence independent journalism in the region.

Summary

SRINAGAR - The regional administration declared that the Kashmir Press Club has been deregistered as a society and "ceased to exist". The land on which it stands was being taken back into government hands.

"It seems the ultimate goal was to shut down the Kashmir Press Club," its general secretary, Ishfaq Tantray, said, emphasizing that "By this action, they [government] wanted to stifle the voice of journalists that resonated through the forum … the only democratic and independent journalist body in the region."

The government defended its actions as protecting press freedom and ensuring the "safety of bona-fide journalists".

A small group of journalists supportive of the Indian government had stormed the Kashmir Press Club with the assistance of armed police over the weekend, allegedly threatening its ruling body, and locked up the building, preventing journalists from entering.

KEY POINTS:

• Kashmir Press Club declared deregistered by regional administration.
• Government claims action is to protect press freedom.
• Supporters of the Indian government threatened ruling body of the Club.
• Journalists were prevented from entering the building.
• Concerns raised about stifling independent journalism.