SRINAGAR, Jan 22: Former Finance Minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday condemned the assault on photojournalists in Shopian who sustained pellet injuries while delivering their professional duties.
While expressing solidarity with the injured journalists, Bukhari demanded a thorough probe into the incident. “I strongly condemn this unfortunate incident in which our four photo journalists are reported to have sustained pellet injuries today at Shopian,” Bukhari said, while adding that use of excessive force will always prove detrimental to the efforts of peace.
He said that any kind of attack on journalist fraternity is a direct attack on freedom of speech guaranteed under law. Covering protests by journalists including photo journalists is one of their primary professional duties, Bukhari said, while urging the governor to take immediate cognizance of the use indiscriminate force against these journalists who were discharging their professional duties in Shopian. The culprits must be identified and booked under law,” Bukhari demanded. The former minster prayed for speedy recovery of the injured scribes.
