Kashmir Observer reporter, Auqib Javeed, was questioned for three hours by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in New Delhi on Saturday. He has been summoned again on Sunday.
Auqib, an accredited journalist, was summoned by the investigating agency to its Delhi office for questioning in a sedition case filed against Dukhtaraan-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi and two of her aides.
“I was asked questions regarding interviews of various persons done by me, types of stories which I do, my education including schooling and higher studies as well as family background,” he said.
“I entered the NIA office at around 4 pm and left at around 7 pm. Two officers were in the room and their questions centered on my work and my person,” he said, adding, “Both the officers made me feel relaxed and offered tea and snacks.”
Auqib was summoned to NIA headquarters in connection with the case (RC-17/2018/NIA/DLI) dated 27th April, 2018. He was accompanied to NIA office by a lawyer but was told that there is “no need for a lawyer.” “Whereas it appears that you are acquainted with the circumstances of the case noted below, which is now under investigation by the superintendent of Police/NIA/New Delhi under chapter XII of the code of criminal procedure, you are hereby required to attend before the undersigned at Investigation Agency, Hgrs in New Delhi for the purpose of your examination relating to the case,” read a summon issued to Auqib.
On July 6, Asiya Andrabi and two of her associates were arrested by NIA and taken to New Delhi.
Kashmir Editors Guild has expressed concern over the development saying the frequent summoning of journalists is weakening democracy and the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech.
‘STOP HARASSING KASHMIRI JOURNALISTS’
Kashmir Working Journalist Association and Kashmir Journalist Association have taken strong note of the summoning of a Srinagar based journalist by National Investigative Agency for questioning to New Delhi, terming it as intimidation and harassment of Kashmiri journalist.
A joint statement from the associations, condemning the move, said the summoning reflects highhanded approach of the federal agency to ascribe motive to journalists’ professional work, and summon them like criminals.
It is also highly regrettable that Aquib has been summoned, out of station, at a very short notice, without caring how he manages to do it.”
“The NIA’s approach towards journalism has earlier also been exposed in its detention of the Kashmiri journalist Kamran Yousuf, last year, in whose case, the NIA even tried to define journalism.”