By Sheikh Qayoom

Srinagar, Apr 23 (IANS): The J&K Police have denied any intimidation of mediapersons and interference in their professional duties.

"With reference to a claim by certain groups that freedom of press is being curtailed, before making such broad generalisations people should ascertain the facts," the police said in a statement, here on Thursday.

Only one journalist was questioned about journalistic work and only one FIR over instigating people for violence had been registered over an encounter in Shopian, it said.

The other two persons had not been booked for any journalistic work but because of posting of "explicitly seditious, incendiary and incriminating texts on social media, challenging sovereignty and integrity of India and attempting to instigate people for violence," the police said.

The police said one of them recently met the IGP Kashmir along with 3-4 members of Kashmir Press Club, Srinagar, and "accepted the mistake claiming ignorance of the relevant law" and assured not to repeat it.

The IGP assured of impartial investigation in the case.

Regarding the other booked person, it said there were written complaints that he exposed life of some peaceful and law-abiding citizens to grave risk by posting incriminating and provocative adjectives against them on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

"The content of these specific complaints discloses a criminal act and law will take its course and the written complaints against this individual will be investigated as mandated by law," the police said.