Journalist detained in Kashmir, police say ‘instigated secessionist sentiment by portraying Kashmiris as victims of systemic extermination’

The police statement said he was operating social media accounts to “disseminate extremist/distorted content with an intention to disturb peace and promote disaffection and secessionist ideology and present India in a bad shape.”

Mir works for a Dubai-based business news website and has previously worked with local and national news organisations. “He has been detained under preventive measures and lodged in Central Jail, Srinagar,” a senior official said.

Police accused Mir of being “actively engaged in posting and sharing content aimed at inciting sentiments among young minds and instigating secessionist sentiment by portraying Kashmiris as victims of systemic extermination.”

They said his posts reflect a “veiled attempt to cultivate public resentment, which is a threat to security/sovereignty.”

The CIK stated that a preliminary inspection of the digital devices “revealed access to the radical account along with incriminating materials and other extremist/distorted content/propaganda.”

Police also alleged he “was found in touch with some suspected foreign-based cell numbers involved in suspicious activities, presumably taking dictation from the adversary for disturbing the peace and tranquillity in the Valley, which is a matter of investigation.”