Kashmiri Journalists, Photographers Lose Jobs And Livelihood

As the Valley continues to reel under unprecedented Internet gag for the past four and a half months, scores of working journalists in Kashmir have lost their jobs and are being forced to look for other means of livelihood. Munneb-ul-Islam, a photo-journalist, is no longer seen with his camera slung on his shoulder, scrambling to take pictures whenever there is an encounter in Anantnag. “I was not paid emoluments since August this year as I was not able to work. Due to protracted Internet shutdown, it is still not possible to send across photographs freely”, said Islam. He began to do menial jobs at construction sites in Anantnag, some 55 kms south of Srinagar. Ahmad is busy operating a photocopier at his small shop. He has ceased to file reports to a New Delhi based newspaper. Similarly, Basaharat Amin, a community reporter with Video Volunteers, has turned into a tutor and teaches at a private coaching centre. Since August 5, when Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its special status and split into two Union Territories–Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh—journalists in the Valley are increasingly getting the pink slip.