Northlines Correspondent
Jammu Tawi, April 20: Cyber Police Station, Srinagar filed FIRs against a photojournalist, one Masrat Zehra and one Peerzada Ashiq, a reporter who works for an English daily today for allegedly spreading fake news and posting anti national content.
“On 18.04.2020, Cyber Police Station Kashmir, Srinagar received information through reliable sources that one Facebook user namely Masrat Zehra is frequently uploading anti-national posts with the criminal intention. The post by the users can provoke the public to disturb the law and order besides glorifying the anti-national activities etc. In this regard FIR No. 10/2020 under the relevant provision of law was registered at Cyber Police Station and investigation taken up. For the purpose of investigation facebook user Masrat Zehra was summoned at PS Sadder and not to Air Cargo Complex”, said JKP press release.
The release further reads, “on 19.04.2020 an information was received regarding a fake news item being published in the “The Hindu” newspaper by the journalist namely Pir Zada Ashiq, regarding an encounter at Shopian and subsequent developments. The details reflected in the news item were found factually incorrect and the said news could cause fear or alarm in the minds of public. The said news was published without seeking confirmation from the District authorities. An FIR vide No. 81/2020 was registered in P/S Anantnag and the individual was called at P/S Anantnag for questioning.”
The investigation in both the cases is in progress.
IGP Kashmir appealed the members of journalist/ media fraternity not to publish fake/ fabricated news/ stories, which has bearing on national security and which has the potential of causing social instability and can lead to law and order problem.
He further appealed that any such information be clarified / confirmed before publication.
For investigation, Police is legally duty bound and lawfully empowered under Cr.PC to summon the suspects for questioning.
