Kashmiri journalists working for national dailies summoned by J&K police

Several Kashmiri journalists working for national newspapers have been summoned by Jammu and Kashmir Police in recent days, with one senior reporter asked to sign a bond over what authorities described as a “mistake” in his reporting.

On January 14, Bashaarat Masood, a senior journalist with The Indian Express, was called to the Cyber Police Station in Srinagar and made to wait for nearly seven hours. He was then asked to return the next day and advised to bring a colleague or friend. When he returned, Masood was taken to the district magistrate’s office and asked to sign a bond written in Urdu, directing him not to repeat his alleged mistake.

The bond was linked to a story Masood had written on political reactions to a recent police exercise seeking information about mosques in the Valley and their management. Police reportedly cited concerns that the report posed a threat to public law and order. Masood refused to sign the bond and, according to sources, was subsequently required to report to the police station for three more days.

The Indian Express said Masood was called to the Cyber Police Station on four days, and that the newspaper was committed to protecting the rights and dignity of its journalists.

Ashiq Hussain, a Srinagar-based reporter with Hindustan Times, was also summoned but did not comply.

Journalists across the Valley told The Wire that they are facing increasing police questioning over routine reporting, social media activity, sources, and editorial decisions. Many said they feared reprisals, surveillance, and legal action, contributing to growing self-censorship.

Veteran journalist Nirupama Subramanian and several political leaders, including Sajad Gani Lone and CPI(M) MLA M.Y. Tarigami, criticised the police actions, calling them attempts to intimidate the press.

Press freedom groups say such summonses and raids reflect a broader pattern of tightening control over the media in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019.