CPJ condemns Indian authorities raid on Kashmir Times Jammu office

NEW DELHI: Police in the Indian occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir must return any documents or other property seized during a raid on the Kashmir Times on Thursday, and ensure that members of the news outlet are not threatened with criminal charges for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.

“The raid on the Kashmir Times office is deeply troubling and raises concerns about increasing pressure on media outlets in Jammu and Kashmir,” said CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator Kunal Majumder. “Authorities must clearly explain the legal basis for this action and ensure that any investigation is conducted with transparency and full respect for due process. News outlets should not face punitive action simply for doing their journalistic work.”

Officers from the State Investigation Agency conducted the raid on Thursday morning, according to multiple news reports, taking documents and digital devices. The police agency has not issued a public statement on the operation or its reason for the raids.

An official quoted by the Kashmir Observer said the raid was part of an investigation into the alleged “glorification of activities inimical to the interests of the country.” It is unclear which articles published by the English-language daily may have triggered the raid.