Srinagar: Two journalists were beaten by police outside Islamia College of Science and Commerce in Hawal area of Srinagar’s downtown on Tuesday. The journalists included Azaan Javaid of The Print and Anees Zargar of Newsclick.
According to the duo, they were at the spot to cover students’ protest when policemen deployed there thrashed them.
“We were clicking pictures of some boys who were being detained. An argument broke out when the police asked us to hand over our phones,” Zargar told Kashmir Reader.
“Despite producing our identity cards, policemen slapped and abused us” said Zargar.
Azaan Javaid of The Print said that police personnel snatched his mobile phone and abused him.
“We reached Hawal in the afternoon to cover students protest at the Islamia College. There was a minor stone-pelting going on but the college gate was closed so we decided go back. But, the police began picking up some random boys on the road. Witnessing the incident we started filming it with our cell phones. Suddenly, in-charge of local police station snatched my phone and his security guards started beating me,” he said.
Javaid also alleged that the concerned Superintendent of Police hurled invectives when the former was requesting him to return his cell phone.
“The SP abused me while other police personnel present there slapped me continuously. He showed the sheer arrogance when I was requesting him to return my phone,” he said.
Inspector General of Police, S P Pani told Kashmir Reader that the action will follow in the incident as he has sought report.
“I also heard about the incident and have sought report from the SP about the same. The appropriate action will follow after the things get clear,” he said.
The inspector general of police said the journalist had been asked to collect his phone from the police station.

Manzoor ul-Hassan