Jammu and Kashmir’s State Investigation Agency on Thursday raided the office of the newspaper Kashmir Times in Jammu, claiming that the news organisation’s activities were “inimical to the state”.

The editors of Kashmir Times, Prabodh Jamwal and Anuradha Bhasin, described the accusations as “baseless” and said that the “coordinated crackdown” was yet another attempt to silence the news organisation.

The raids by the State Investigation Agency, a specialised investigative body under the Union Territory’s home department, came after the registration of a first information report alleging the involvement of the news organisation in anti-national activities and attempts to spread disaffection against the country, The Indian Express quoted unidentified officials as saying.

Jamwal and Anuradha Bhasin, in a statement, said that criticising the government was not the same as being inimical to the state.

“In fact, it is the very opposite,” the editors said. “A robust, questioning press is essential to a healthy democracy. Our work of holding power to account, investigating corruption, amplifying marginalised voices strengthens our nation. It does not weaken it.”

The statement said that the Kashmir Times, whose founding editor was Ved Bhasin, had stood as a pillar of independent journalism since 1954, adding that the news organisation had “chronicled the region’s triumphs and failures” with equal rigour.

“We have asked difficult questions when others remained silent,” it added. “We are being targeted precisely because we continue to do this work. In an era when critical voices are increasingly scarce, we remain one of the few independent outlets willing to speak truth to power.”

The editors said that the accusations levelled against the news organisation were designed to “intimidate, to delegitimise, and ultimately to silence”.

“We will not be silenced,” they asserted.

The editors called on the authorities to “immediately cease this harassment, withdraw these unfounded allegations, and respect the constitutional guarantees of press freedom”.

The statement also called on colleagues in the media to stand with the Kashmir Times.

“We call on civil society, on citizens who value their right to know, to recognise that this moment is a test of whether journalism can survive in an environment of increasing authoritarianism,” it said.

The editors added: “Journalism is not a crime. Accountability is not treason. And we will continue to inform, investigate, and advocate for those who depend on us. The state may have the power to raid our offices. But it cannot raid our commitment to the truth.”

The statement also noted that the print edition of the Kashmir Times was suspended in 2021-’22 after “relentless targeting”.

The FIR filed ahead of the raid mentioned alleged activities and communications that were under scrutiny for “potential threats to the sovereignty and integrity of India”, according to The Indian Express.

The newspaper quoted officials as saying that the raid started at about 6 am. State Investigation Agency officials examined documents, digital equipment and other material as part of the raid.

While Jamwal is listed as the editor of the news organisation on its website, Anuradha Bhasin is the managing editor. Both of them had moved to the United States a while back and have been staying there, The Indian Express reported.

📰 Crime Today News is proudly sponsored by DRYFRUIT & CO – A Brand by eFabby Global LLC

Design & Developed by Yes Mom Hosting