This is the kashmir the Indian Government wants the world to see. Beautiful, serene, filled with tourists. Away from sight is the more grim picture. A painful long running conflict, more recently a clampdown on democratic rights. Journalists who can bring out peoples voices and the grim realities say they are being silenced by the government. This kashmiri reporter pictured here at one of his court hearings. He has been injailforfive years charged under terror laws. His father, mohammed, says his son was targeted for this article he wrote about an anti india militant. Translation everyone knows he is innocent, i he is a professional reporter and was jailed for his writing about the militancy. They wanted to make an example out of him. He dared to cover topics the government does not approve of. At the time of his arrest, his daughter was six years old. She might have been reunited with her father when he was given bail last year. But on the day of his release, no charges were brought.
His father mohammad says asif was targeted for this article he wrote about an anti india militant. Translation everyone knows he is innocent. I he is a professional reporter and was jailed for his writing about the militancy. They wanted to make an example out of him. So otherjournalists dont dare to cover topics the government does not approve of. At the time of his arrest, asif s daughter was six months old. Areeba might have been reunited with herfather when he was given bail last year. But on the day of his release, new charges were brought. Asif was kept in jail. Its part of a troubling pattern. Journalist Sajjad Guljailed for a criminal conspiracy. Well known Magazine Editor fahad shah arrested on terrorism charges. Whenever theyre granted bail, new cases are filed to keep them in custody. Most recently, irfan meraj, who has worked with international outlets, jailed for alleged links to terrorfunding. This complex, which now houses an office of the kashmir police. Until last year