Srinagar/Jammu, Jan 8: The attack on Greater Kashmir photojournalist Amaan Farooq by Dy SP Safdar Samoon continues to evoke widespread condemnation across Jammu and Kashmir. Journalists and members of the civil society have demanded immediate action against the police officer.
 The Hurriyat Conference (M) has condemned the attack on Greater Kashmir photojournalist Amaan Farooq. In a statement, it said, “The Kashmiri media men putting their life on stake to report truth in the region have been continuously targeted by the forces.”
 It said, “The forces are using weapons to target the media men to restrict the truth from reaching to the common people.” Hurriyat termed the attack as heinous and a barbarous act. The party has prayed for the recovery of the injured photojournalist.
 The members of Coalition of Civil Society led by Pervez Imroz, Zahirudin visited Greater Kashmir office and expressed solidarity with the staff members.
 Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front also condemned the attack on Amaan. In a statement issued from London, it said Front would contact the National Union of Journalists in UK and also raise the issue with the British Government.
 Head of Front’s diplomatic affairs, Prof Zafar Khan said, “It is the clear violation of freedom of speech and press and such actions shows the intolerant behaviour of India towards human rights in Kashmir.”
 In a statement issued here, the Front termed the attack as frustration of the police officer. Senior leaders of the Front, Noor Muhammad Kalwal and Showkat Ahmad Bakshi visited the residence of Amaan and expressed solidarity with him.
 Tehreek-e-Mazahmat while condemning the attack, said, “The attack on Amaan was intentional and deliberate. The attack symbolizes that forces want the journalist fraternity of the Kashmir should keep away from reporting truth.” Tehreek paid rich tributes to the local journalists who are performing their professional duties without bias, it said.
 Salvation Movement has expressed grief over the ‘heinous act of police.’ The party spokesperson said the forces were using bullets to discourage the media fraternity from reporting truth.
 The Jammu and Kashmir Joint Association of Kashmiri Affected Families condemned the attack on Amaan and termed it a murderous act.
 The Right To Information Movement Convener, Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, termed the attack as murderous. In a statement issued here he said till now the forces used to attack journalists with kicks, blows and canes but the way the police officer directly fired at Amaan was highly condemnable.
 He said, “This clearly shows the gravity of frustration of our so-called security forces. The attack on media is an attack on democracy.” The Chief Minister and DG Police must take strong note of this matter and initiate action against the erring officer, he said.
 The Employees Joint Action Committee (Q) Friday expressed grief over the attack on GK Photojournalist Amaan Farooq. In a statement issued here, the committee said an independent investigation should be done into the attack in order to bring the culprit to book. The committee extended solidarity with the GK communications and prayed for the recovery of the injured Amaan.
 The Islamabad Press Association in its statement issued expressed deep anguish over the attack on Amaan Farooq by a police officer. The Islamabad based senior correspondent, Malik Salam termed the attack heinous and barbarous. He prayed for the recovery of Amaan.
 The Dukhtarn-i-Milat chairperson Asiya Andrabi condemned the brutal attack on Aman by deputy superintendent of police, Safdar Samoon. “The attacks on the media persons show the frustration of the state and central agencies,” she said, adding the DeM condemns the attack.

IN JAMMU DIVISION TOO:
 The attack on Amaan Farooq was condemned by media and civil society across Jammu division. In their separate messages and press notes, the cross section of the society termed it as attack on truth.
 In separate meeting organised by the working journalists in district Rajouri under the chairmanship of Tazeem Dar, journalists said it was not only an attack on a particular person but on the freedom of expression. On behalf of the press council Rajouri, Tazeem extended full support to Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Uzma. He also appealed the national press and civil rights groups to take serious note of the attack.
 In separate messages from Poonch and Doda, journalists demanded stern action against the police officer responsible for the attack.
 A senior journalist from Doda, Haq Nawaz Nehru, while expressing his sympathies with GK family and the family members of Amaan Farooq, said GK has always been a thorn in some eyes and such an incident was a slap on those who claim to be the guardians of democracy.
 In his message, senior journalist Shyaam Sood demanded stern action against the police officer Safdar Samoon who attacked Amaan when he was performing his professional duty.
 The Immam Al- Huda Jamia Masjid Rajouri, Ameer Muhammad Shamsi in his condemnation message termed it as attack on truth. Moulana Shamsi said Greater Kashmir always stood with the truth and that is why the newspaper has always been under attack. Expressing sympathy with the GK community, Moulana said the newspaper should not bow before such attacks. “This newspaper represents the sentiments of the society in Jammu and Kashmir and no power on earth can harm it,” said Moulana Shamsi.
 Terming it as attack on the fourth pillar of democracy, Tribal Research Foundation said the Government should take serious note of the incident and the accused officer must be taught a lesson so that such incidents don’t occur in future.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST