Photojournalist Masrat Zahra booked for social media posts

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police have booked female freelance photojournalist Masrat Zahra under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for uploading ‘anti-national posts with criminal intention to induce the young to disturb’ public order.

A statement from Cyber Police Station said that they received information through ‘reliable sources’ that one Facebook user namely “Masrat Zahra” is uploading anti-national posts with criminal intention to induce the youth and to promote offences against public tranquility.

“The Facebook user is also believed to be uploading photographs which can provoke the public to disturb law and order. The user is also uploading posts that tantamount to glorify the anti-national activities and dent the image of law enforcing agencies, besides causing disaffection against the country,” the statement said.

“Yes, she has been booked for her Facebook posts that glorify militants. Her posts post threat to law and order and spread misinformation,” Superintendent of Police (SP), Cyber Cell Kashmir, Tahir Ashraf said.

Police sources said that a case under FIR number 10/2020 under Section 13 UA(P) Act and 505-IPC stands registered with the Cyber Cell of Police, Kashmir Zone. Under IPC 505, a person can be booked for two years of rigorous imprisonment.

J&K Police has advised the local people to refrain from misuse of social media platforms and circulation of unauthenticated information through such platforms. “Any person found indulging in such activities will be dealt with strictly under law,” the police statement said.