Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Nov 15: At least five journalists working with a local newspaper in Srinagar resigned today after terrorists put out a list of over a dozen journalists, accusing them of working for the security agencies and threatened journalists working for three media houses.
The fresh terrorist threats against journalists were issued over the last weekend on a social media platform. Those in the list are Editors of two prominent newspapers of Kashmir.
Three reporters have published resignations on their social media pages to avoid any trouble after terrorists threatened any one working for three media houses in Srinagar.
“I have been reporting about civic issues, water, drains, and transport. I have never reported anything on army or covered any army function so far. Yet they have branded me as an Army informer,” the reporter said in his post.
Police said The Resistance Front (TRF), which is an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Toiba, is behind the threats.
A First Information Report, or FIR, under anti-terrorist law UAPA has been registered and investigations have been launched.
“Case registered against handlers, active terrorists & OGWs of terror outfit LeT & its offshoot TRF for online publication & dissemination of a direct threat letter to Journalists & reporters based in Kashmir,” Police tweeted.
“FIR No. 82/2022 U/S 13 UAPA, 505, 153B, 124A & 506 IPC in Shergari PS,” Srinagar Police wrote on Twitter.
A police official said that the contents of threats depict the intention of terrorists and anti-national elements.
“They have put the life of people, especially media persons, in danger by publicly calling them corrupt and giving direct threat to their lives. In this regard, an FIR stands registered,” a police officer said.
The official said that around a dozen suspects have been rounded up by the police and are being questioned for their alleged links with TRF.
“We have rounded up suspects for being Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of TRF. The detentions are not exactly linked to threats against media houses,” said an officer.
He said that police have offered security to those whose names are in the list and they have been asked to be vigilant.
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