Authorities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have arbitrarily detained at least three journalists for exposing the felling of centuries-old Chinar trees in Islamabad district, triggering outrage over press freedom and environmental destruction.
Chinars, deeply woven into Kashmir’s cultural and ecological identity, are protected under the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969. However, several of these majestic trees were illegally cut down in Rani Bag area of Islamabad district, prompting local journalists to report on the environmental vandalism, only to face police reprisals.
A report carried by Indian news portal The Wire revealed that the authorities detained the journalists for three days before releasing them with a warning. Their names of the detained journalists were withheld.
The crackdown drew sharp criticism in the IIOJK legislative assembly. National Conference leader and MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri condemned the detentions, arguing that instead of holding the culprits accountable, the administration targeted journalists for exposing the crime. He urged Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to ensure press freedom in Kashmir.
