Jammu, June 23: In a brazen warning to Kashmiri scribes, BJP MLA Chaudhary Lal Singh said the journalists in the Valley would meet the fate of "Shujaat Bukhari" if they do not "draw a line" in their journalism.
Singh said reportage should be undertaken keeping national interests in mind. "The journalists of Kashmir created an incorrect environment over there. I would urge them to draw a line now. They need to decide how they want to live. Do they want to meet the fate of Shujaat Bukhari? If not, they must draw a line and ensure brotherhood and harmony remains intact," he said.
Here is the video of Lal Singh's contentious warning to Kashmiri scribes:
SHOCKING: BJP MLA Lal Singh openly threatens journalists, that too in a press conference. "Aap ek line draw karein, taaki bhaichaara bani rahe, mohabbat bani rahe," the MLA says indicating the ghastardly killing of Shujat Bukhari! pic.twitter.com/sCnLQuioy7
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) June 23, 2018
#BREAKING -- BJP MLA Choudhary Lal Singh threatens Kashmiri journalists; Asks them to 'draw a line, or meet Shujaat's fate' pic.twitter.com/aAdQFjwob0
— News18 (@CNNnews18) June 23, 2018
Shujaat Bukhari, editor of leading Srinagar-based daily Rising Kashmir, was shot dead outside his house by motorcycle-borne militants on June 14. His death, on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, came as a major setback to the state.
BJP's J&K in-charge Ram Madhav cited Bukhari's murder, along with growing radicalism and terrorism as the reasons behind the party retracting support extended to the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP.
Bukhari, considered to be a "moderate voice" in the Kashmiri press, was a constant votary of political dialogue with all stakeholders to resolve the impasse in Kashmir.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2018 02:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).