Female journalist booked under UAPA in Kashmir

Srinagar: Kashmiri female photojournalist, Masrat Zahra, has been booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and an FIR was registered on Monday.

Cyber Police Station, Kashmir Zone, has claimed that she was “uploading anti-national posts [on Facebook] with criminal intentions to induce the youth and promote offence against public tranquility.” The investigation in the matter has been set into motion.

Zahra’s work has appeared in multiple national and international publications including The Washington Post, The New Humanitarian, TRT World, Al Jazeera, The Caravan, and others.

She is a journalist of international repute and her work from Kashmir has also appeared in various national and international photography exhibitions.

The FIR number 10/2020 under section 13 UA(P) act and 505-IPC stands registered with the Cyber Cell of police, Kashmir, in this case.

In a press release, the police further said: “The user [Zahra] is also uploading posts that tantamount to glorify the anti-national activities and dent the image of law enforcing agencies besides causing disaffection against the country.”

Many social media users, majorly journalists from Kashmir, have also come in staunch support of Zahra on Twitter and Facebook. The users have condemned the police action on the journalist, captured by hashtag: #IStandWithMasratZahra.

“Journalism is not a crime,” wrote one user on Twitter, while another added, “you are not alone Masrat.” Another user wrote: “One doing his/her professional work is not a crime.”