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| Sunday, 2 February 2003 |
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Indian Kashmir leader condemns killing of journalist SRINAGAR, India, Feb 1 (AFP) - The leader of Indian-administered Kashmir Saturday condemned the killing of a Muslim editor as showing no respect for press freedom and ordered a hunt for the killers. At least two gunmen Friday shot Parvaz Mohammed Sultan, owner and editor of local news agency News and Feature Alliance (NAFA), in the head and neck while he was in his office-cum-residence in the summer capital, Srinagar. Bleeding profusely, 36-year-old Sultan managed to walk down the stairs from his first-floor office but collapsed on the roadside. Neighbours and colleagues took him to hospital where he died. "The chief minister has directed the police to launch a manhunt for the killers," said a statement from the state's leader, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. "Those elements who have targeted the mediaperson have no respect for the freedom of the press," Sayeed said, adding that a free press was vital in any democratic society. Police have blamed Muslim militants who are fighting Indian rule for the killing. No group has claimed responsibility. "Nothing can be achieved by killing journalists who are doing a difficult task to stick to objectivity in Kashmir situation despite all odds," said Sayeed, who, unlike his predecessor Farooq Abdullah, has a healthy relationship with journalists. "This dastardly act of senseless elements needs to be condemned by all right thinking persons," Sayeed said. The killing has sparked panic in the tiny journalist community in Kashmir, where reporters walk a razor-edge to report from the region. Sultan's killing was the first attack on a journalist this year, and the first during the regime of Sayeed, who came to power in November. In 2002 attacks on four journalists were reported in Srinagar. All the four sustained injuries but survived. Nearly a dozen journalists have died covering Kashmir since anti-Indian rebellion broke-out in 1989. The victims include AFP photographer Mushtaq Ali. |
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