<p>A prominent journalist in Kashmir has been arrested by police and accused of "glorifying terrorism" and "spreading fake news" in the disputed territory, where a running press crackdown has intensified.</p>.<p>Fahad Shah, the editor of <em>Kashmir Walla</em> news portal, had already been questioned several times for his reporting by officers in recent years.</p>.<p>He had been arrested for "glorifying terrorism, spreading fake news and inciting general public", Kashmir police said Saturday.</p>.<p>A police statement that followed his arrest the day before added that Shah's Facebook posts had dented "the image of law enforcing agencies".</p>.<p>The Committee to Protect Journalists demanded Shah's release and called on Indian authorities to respect press freedom in Kashmir.</p>.<p>Shah's arrest demonstrated "authorities' utter disregard for press freedom and the fundamental right of journalists to report freely and safely", Steven Butler of the Washington-based watchdog said.</p>.<p>Dozens of journalists in Indian-controlled Kashmir have regularly been summoned by police and questioned on their work since 2019 when New Delhi revoked the territory's partial autonomy and brought it under direct rule.</p>.<p>They have also been increasingly subject to harassment, arrests, raids and prosecution on "terrorism" related charges.</p>.<p>Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since both countries were granted independence from British rule in 1947, and both claim the former Himalayan kingdom in full.</p>.<p>Over half a million Indian soldiers are deployed in the territory, battling a running insurgency from rebel groups demanding independence or Kashmir's merger with Pakistan.</p>.<p>The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians.</p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>
<p>A prominent journalist in Kashmir has been arrested by police and accused of "glorifying terrorism" and "spreading fake news" in the disputed territory, where a running press crackdown has intensified.</p>.<p>Fahad Shah, the editor of <em>Kashmir Walla</em> news portal, had already been questioned several times for his reporting by officers in recent years.</p>.<p>He had been arrested for "glorifying terrorism, spreading fake news and inciting general public", Kashmir police said Saturday.</p>.<p>A police statement that followed his arrest the day before added that Shah's Facebook posts had dented "the image of law enforcing agencies".</p>.<p>The Committee to Protect Journalists demanded Shah's release and called on Indian authorities to respect press freedom in Kashmir.</p>.<p>Shah's arrest demonstrated "authorities' utter disregard for press freedom and the fundamental right of journalists to report freely and safely", Steven Butler of the Washington-based watchdog said.</p>.<p>Dozens of journalists in Indian-controlled Kashmir have regularly been summoned by police and questioned on their work since 2019 when New Delhi revoked the territory's partial autonomy and brought it under direct rule.</p>.<p>They have also been increasingly subject to harassment, arrests, raids and prosecution on "terrorism" related charges.</p>.<p>Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since both countries were granted independence from British rule in 1947, and both claim the former Himalayan kingdom in full.</p>.<p>Over half a million Indian soldiers are deployed in the territory, battling a running insurgency from rebel groups demanding independence or Kashmir's merger with Pakistan.</p>.<p>The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians.</p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>