Srinagar, Mar 04: CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam, M Y Tarigami, on Wednesday expressed concern over what he described as restrictions on established media organisations in Kashmir, including Greater Kashmir, Rising Kashmir and Kashmir Life, after their social media pages were reportedly taken down.

Tarigami termed the development unfortunate and urged the government to restore the pages at the earliest, asserting that freedom of the press is protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression.

He said that credible and professionally run media outlets play an important role in disseminating verified information, particularly during sensitive situations. He said that if there were objections to any particular report, the authorities could have sought clarification or invoked lawful remedies. Curtailing the platforms of established media outlets, he added, is neither a constructive approach nor in keeping with democratic practice.

Referring to reports that the pages were taken down following coverage of protests, he said it is the duty of media organisations to report the ground situation. Restricting established news platforms, he said, does not necessarily curb misinformation and may instead create space for unverified sources to circulate misleading content.

The CPI(M) leader also expressed concern over the registration of FIRs against MP Ruhullah Mehdi and others, urging authorities to ensure that dissenting voices are not curtailed and that lawful and peaceful expression is respected in line with constitutional guarantees.

Srinagar, Mar 04: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said India’s silence on the US-Israel aggression against Iran was incomprehensible for her, as only Tehran had stood by New Delhi when sanctions were imposed against the latter for nuclear tests.

“I fail to understand that we are a democratic country, but neither has our country’s leadership condemned it or expressed condolences with the people there (Iran), nor has the leadership here (in Jammu and Kashmir),” the former chief minister told reporters here.

She said India has had very strong relations with Iran in the past.

“Every Muslim country used to side with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, except Iran, which took India’s side. When sanctions were imposed on India, Iran was the only country that gave us oil. They did not even take the money first, and then took it later. Despite that, unfortunately, the country’s leadership did not condemn it or even express condolences to the people of Iran,” she said.

Mehbooba Mufti, a former chief minister of the erstwhile state of J-K, burnt the effigies of the US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Our hearts are filled with grief, but we cannot protest outside, so at least we burnt the effigies of these satanic forces, be it Trump or Netanyahu. We want to send a message to the world that the people of J-K, especially the people of the valley, stand with the people of Iran and salute their bravery and sacrifices,” she added.

The PDP president said the world order today is in total disarray.

“There is no world order. Today, an Epstein goon like Trump can go into Iran and Venezuela along with Epstein master Netanyahu. They are war criminals, and together they go and attack a sovereign country like Iran, and nobody is talking about it,” she said.

“Unfortunately, the Muslim countries in the Gulf, Middle East, are watching like mute spectators and tacitly supporting this attack on Iran by providing bases to the Americans. It is regrettable,” she added.

She also hit out at Pakistan, saying it seems the country’s recent pact with Saudi Arabia was not against Israel but Iran.

On September 17, 2025, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) in Riyadh. The pact establishes that any aggression against either nation is considered an attack on both.

“It seems all the Muslim countries have become lapdogs of the US and Israel and are directly or indirectly involved in this attack. Iran is fighting alone, and so our heart, mind and soul stand with them,” Mufti said.

She called for the release of the people detained during the protests in the valley against the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The PDP chief also demanded that the FIR against Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and former city mayor Junaid Azim Mattu be withdrawn.

“I also appeal to the people here to remain peaceful,” she added.

Srinagar, Mar 04: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said the cases registered against ruling National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and former Mayor of Srinagar Junaid Azim Mattu were “egregiously unwarranted” and should be withdrawn immediately.

She was reacting to Jammu and Kashmir Police registering cases against Mehdi and Mattu on Tuesday for allegedly circulating “false, fabricated and misleading content” on digital and social media platforms.

“The FIR against Aga Ruhullah and Junaid Azim Matoo is egregiously unwarranted and unjust. It must be withdrawn immediately,” the former chief minister said in a post on X.

“Just because GOI & NC government in Jammu & Kashmir have chosen to remain silent on the blatant aggression by US and Israel against Iran and the martyrdom of its Supreme Leader doesn’t mean that those who speak out are offenders to be booked under the law,” the PDP president said referring to the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Shopian, Mar 04: In a significant step to maintain law and order, Shopian Police have registered an FIR over the circulation of provocative content prejudicial to public order, police officials said on Wednesday.

In a press statement, a police spokesperson said, “Shopian Police have taken cognizance of the circulation of provocative content on social media platforms found to be prejudicial to the maintenance of public order.”

He said that it has come to notice that one individual, namely Javid Ahmad Khanday S/O Ali Mohd Khanday R/O Sazan Keegam, was allegedly involved in sharing and propagating certain videos accompanied by captions and comments which were prima facie capable of disturbing public peace and adversely affecting the law-and-order situation.

Accordingly, FIR No. 26/2026 has been registered at Police Station Shopian (Police Post Keegam) under relevant provisions of law, and investigation has been initiated. Further legal action shall be taken as warranted under law.

Shopian Police reiterate their firm commitment to maintaining peace and public order. The general public is advised to exercise responsibility and restraint while using social media platforms and to refrain from posting or sharing any content that may disturb public tranquility. Any violation shall be dealt with strictly in accordance with law.

Srinagar, Mar 04: National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu have been booked for allegedly circulating misleading content on social media platforms.

“Acting on credible inputs regarding the circulation of false, fabricated and misleading content across digital and social media platforms with the intent to create fear, disturb public order and incite unlawful activities, Srinagar Police has registered cases against Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Junaid Azim Mattu,” police said on X on Tuesday.

It said the content in question, prima facie, reflected dissemination of distorted narratives and unverified information capable of causing public unrest and societal disharmony.

“Such deliberate attempts to spread misinformation pose a serious threat to peace, security and overall stability. Accordingly, FIR No 02/2026 and FIR No 03/2026 have been registered under Sections 197(1)(d) and 353(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Cyber Police Station, Srinagar,” the police said.

They said an investigation has been initiated into both cases.

The police advised the citizens to verify information through official and credible sources before sharing content online and to refrain from circulating unverified material that may disturb communal harmony or public order.

On X, Mehdi and Mattu had claimed that their security had been downgraded.

Mehdi, the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar, said that he was neither fascinated by “these petty things” nor scared by the absence of security personnel around him.

He said that as a citizen of this country, he will exercise his rights “to stand up against your atrocities, violation of laws, freedom and democracy given to us by the constitution, to the last drop of my blood.”

“Some fools in Jammu and Kashmir Police and administration think that by withdrawing/downgrading my security detail and suspending my Facebook account will stop me from calling out their atrocities. It is laughable!” the NC leader said on X.

Former mayor Mattu also claimed that his security was withdrawn over his statements on Iran and the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the joint US-Israel air strike.

“For my statements on Iran and Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei’s martyrdom, and for speaking against the BJP-led government’s moral abdication and deafening silence on the issue of the illegitimate barbaric onslaught on Iran by the US and Israel — my security has just been effectively withdrawn with immediate effect. A measure aimed to silence me,” Mattu said on X.