Srinagar, Jan 16: The media fraternity of Kashmir has urged the government to initiate action against the police official who had fired upon Greater Kashmir lensman, Amaan Farooq, here last week.
 At a meeting here, the media persons representing the print and electronic press from the local, national and international organisations said that if the official was allowed to get away with the murderous assault in broad daylight, “it would give an impression that the Omar Abdullah-led government is no different from the governor’s rule and that Jammu and Kashmir is a police state.”
 In view of the assurance held out by none other than the chief minister, when he spoke with Greater Kashmir editor, Fayaz Ahmad Kaloo, to take action in the matter, the media hoped Omar Abdullah would take his commitment to its logical end, more so because he also held the home portfolio.
 All the members felt that the attack had left them insecure, and if the official went unpunished, it would be a license to everyone to attack the media.
 According to the resolution, “the media has no personal vengeance against the police officer, nor is it a matter of ego, but the act of the police officer amounts to his misuse of position.” 
 Expressing concern over the failure of police to register the first information report on the murderous assault, leave alone initiating any action against the accused official, the meeting resolved that Greater Kashmir would file an application through its counsel before the Chief Judicial Magistrate to seek a direction for registration of the FIR.
 The police official, Safdar Samoon, had opened fire on GK photographer, Amaan Farooq, on January 7, two hours after the director-general of police, Kuldeep Khoda, interacted with the media over the Lal Chowk encounter.
 The meeting expressed surprise over the chief minister’s advisor, Mubarak Gul’s statement that a press colony and a press club would be set up here terming it as adding an insult to the injury. “On the one hand, he promises the facilities for the media, and on the other the police target those associated with it,” it lamented.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST