BJA – Alfaaz – The Words

Srinagar: The Bandipora Journalists Association (BJA) on Thursday strongly condemned what it described as intimidation and death threats issued to local journalist Suhail Rather by officials linked to District Hospital Bandipora, calling it a serious attack on press freedom and misuse of official authority.

According to the association, the incident unfolded earlier in the day when Rather visited the hospital along with his seven-month-old daughter for medical treatment. At the injection room, he allegedly found no qualified medical staff present, with only interns available to attend to patients. Concerned about the safety of his child and other patients, the journalist reportedly brought the issue to the notice of the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Mukhtar.

The BJA claims that instead of addressing the complaint, the Medical Superintendent allegedly responded with anger and threats. The situation escalated when Rather later received a phone call from a person who identified himself as an administrative officer of the hospital. The caller allegedly threatened him with “dire consequences” for raising the issue and for previous reportage related to the hospital.

The association said the caller told the journalist, “Mukhtar Sahib has shared your number. I will kill you in a day or two for harassing Mukhtar Sahib and reporting against the hospital,” an allegation the BJA described as “criminal intimidation.”

Terming the episode a reflection of a “deep-rooted culture of impunity,” the BJA demanded the immediate suspension of the Medical Superintendent pending an impartial probe. It also called for the registration of an FIR against both the official and the unidentified caller.

The association said a formal complaint, along with audio evidence, has been submitted to the offices of the Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Bandipora. The BJA urged the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and senior police officials to intervene to ensure the journalist’s safety and uphold freedom of the press.

“The BJA will not remain silent while its members are threatened for carrying out their professional responsibilities,” the association added. (KDC)