KT Management slams raids, accusations
Jammu Tawi, Nov 20: The State Investigation Agency on Thursday conducted raids and searches at the head office of a daily newspaper, Kashmir Times at Residency Road in Jammu and recovered arms and ammunition, while digital devices were also seized.
In a statement, a spokesperson said that the searches were carried in continuation of the investigation into the case registered against the media house for their involvement in criminal conspiracy with secessionist and anti-national entities operating within and outside Jammu & Kashmir.
The statement reads that the FIR indicates that the media house has been allegedly disseminating terrorist and secessionist ideology, spreading inflammatory, fabricated and false narratives, attempting to radicalise the youth, inciting disaffection and separatist sentiments, disturbing peace and public order, and challenging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India through print and digital content.
“During the raid incriminating material, arms and ammunition, including a revolver, 14 empty cases of AK series weapon, 3 live AK rounds, 4 fired bullets, 3 grenade safety levers and 3 suspected pistol rounds, were recovered,” it said.
It added that all recovered items were seized on the spot following due legal procedures. “These recoveries indicate possible unlawful possession and suspected linkages with extremist or anti-national elements, warranting further detailed investigation,” it said.
The SIA further said that the house of Prabodh Jamwal, the owner of the media house, was also searched in Jammu’s Gandhi Nagar area,
“The seized arms, ammunition, digital devices and documents will undergo forensic and technical examination to determine their origin, purpose, and any potential connections to proscribed organisations or individuals. The investigation remains active, and further action shall be taken based on emerging evidence,” it said.
The Kashmir Times management on Thursday sharply criticised the reported raids on its Jammu office, terming the allegations of activities inimical to the state a coordinated attempt to suppress an independent media institution.
In a joint statement issued on social media, Editors Anuradha Bhasin and Prabodh Jamwal said, “The reported raids on our office in Jammu, the baseless accusations of activities inimical to the state and the coordinated crackdown on the Kashmir Times are yet another attempt to silence us.”
