Jammu and Kashmir’s Info & Public Relations division has sought a proof from a information portal for a report in regards to the detention of an “environmental activist” below the Public Security Act (PSA).
The letter accuses the portal of “pitching the elected consultant towards administration” and states that the “tone and content material… tried to place the executive process in a foul mild”. It additionally warns of motion if the information portal fails to “clarify (its) place”.
“The content material of your video clearly pitches elected representatives towards administration,” reads the discover issued to The Chenab Occasions, a information portal from Doda district. “The tone and content material of your video tried to place the executive process in a foul mild and empathised with the one who has been booked below related legal guidelines/norms by following due means of legislation,” it states.
On November 10, activist Rehmatullah Padder of Doda was booked below the PSA by the district administration, which accused him of being an overground employee (OGW) and citing 5 FIRs towards him. Padder’s household and colleagues, nevertheless, stated he was booked for exposing alleged corruption in a sewage therapy plant.
His detention was additionally criticised by Doda MLA Mehraj Malik. “This younger man is detained below PSA right this moment, yesterday he raised questions on district administration for his or her failure. This space couldn’t be cleaned however he’s arrested now. That is Swachh Bharat of Modi,” Malik posted on X, urging the chief minister to set-up a “judicial or authorized committee to look at the file’s authenticity” as “most instances are quashed within the first listening to as they’re typically rooted in revenge”.
Responding to the general public outcry over the detention, the district administration requested individuals “to not be misguided”. “It’s to make clear that an OGW has been detained after following due means of legislation on grounds completely totally different from what’s being circulated on social media. Request to basic public/distinguished residents and elected representatives to not be misguided in (the) above acknowledged case,” the Doda District Administration posted on Fb.
In a video report, The Chenab Occasions reporter stated that the district administration’s put up is ostensibly in response to Malik’s put up on X.
“It (the Fb put up) didn’t title any legislator,” District Info Officer Nasir Khan instructed The Indian Categorical. “Journalism ought to be moral and peaceable. How can somebody criticise the administration?” stated Khan, who issued a discover to the web information portal.
Requested whether or not he believes the administration and its selections are above criticism, Khan stated he’s “only a cog within the wheel”. “I bought instructions from above, from the district administration, and solely adopted them,” he stated. “Please ask the district administration about it.”
The Doda Deputy Commissioner, Harvinder Singh, who slapped the PSA towards the activist, stated it’s a 15-day-old information and a few “vested pursuits” wish to spotlight it.
