India: Masrat Zahra’s father assaulted by the police. CFWIJ condemns these intimidation tactics

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July 30, 2021, Srinagar- Photojournalist Masrat Zahra alleged that the police assaulted her father in order to intimidate her. Currently, based in Germany, Masrat took to her Twitter account to post pictures of her injured father after the police denied allegations. Upon further questioning a member of the law enforcement agency even went on to say that they were unaware of Masrat’s connection with the family when they assaulted the man, otherwise their actions would have been more severe.

The incident took place on July 25 when Masrat Zahra’s father, Mohammad Amin Dar, a retired driver in Srinagar alongside his wife Fatima looking to hail a rikshaw were confronted by five police officers. The cops claimed their reason to approach Amin was because he was not wearing a mask, however, according to Amin the officers were unmasked as well. Amin claims when he questioned them about it, they physically assaulted him. 

Masrat Zahra, recipient of the Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award, who is currently in Germany as a “politically persecuted” person accused the police of targeting her family due to their associations with her. She took to Twitter to register her outrage and shared pictures of the injuries her father had incurred as proof of the allegation.

Last year, Masrat Zahra was charged under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) while at the same time facing threats from armed resistance groups in the region for collaborating with security forces. Speaking to an Indian news outlet, Masrat said, “I am being targeted because of my identity as a woman and also because of my work, which focuses on the brutalities faced by women and children in Kashmir. If I go back to Kashmir, I feel the government may not allow me to leave the country again.” 

When confronted, the police officers initially denied the accusations. However, they later admitted that they were unaware of any links between the man and Masrat and had they been aware, they would have taken far more violent action. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is appalled at the actions of the Indian security forces in Kashmir. The police brutality in the region is well documented and a major contributing factor to the violence that periodically erupts there. What happened with Masrat’s family is absolutely reprehensible and the thinly veiled threats that were later delivered are indicative of the impunity with which the police force in Kashmir acts.