Srinagar, Jan. 21 -- Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have raised concerns over the recent summoning of Srinagar-based journalists by the police, describing the move as an overreach and a challenge to the freedom of the press. For the past several days, reporters working for national media organisations have reportedly been called to the Cyber Police Station in Srinagar for questioning. The inquiries are linked to the January 13 news report on the profiling of mosques and imams in the Union Territory. On January 14, political leaders had criticised the police for distributing forms to village numberdars to collect details of mosques and madrasas in the Valley, including finances of the institutions, personal details of imams and members of the religious institutions' management committees. The police cited the busting of a 'white collar terror module' last year in which an imam from Shopian was involved as the reason for initiating the exercise. Journalists said they were questioned on routine reporting, while some reporters were asked to sign bonds or undertakings. A journalist from a national daily was reportedly summoned for three consecutive days. An HT reporter in Srinagar was also orally summoned on Tuesday by an official from the Cyber Police Station of Kashmir zone without assigning any reason. " You will be told the reason when you appear before the police" said the caller without identifying himself. HT has asked for a written summon with reason. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, VK Birdi didn't respond to phone calls or text message, seeking comment. While the police have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the summons or the allegations of signing bonds, the administrative action prompted criticism from across the political spectrum barring the BJP on Tuesday. People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said, "There are reports of journalists being called topolice stations and asked tosign bonds. I condemn this action." People's Conference chairman and legislator Sajjad Gani Lone termed the police intervention "reprehensible", questioning why reporters should face summons for "doing a story based on facts". CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami said the summons reflect a "wider pattern of intimidation" aimed at independent voices, while J&K Congress president and MLA Tariq Hameed Karra said "such actions, if true, raise serious questions about the space for independent journalism in a democracy". Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Valley's chief cleric, also criticised the police action, noting that reporting on public issues should not be treated as a crime. National Conference and Congress lashed out at the LG administration over the summoning of journalists by police in Kashmir calling it intimidating and an attempt to control the media. NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar reacted harshly to the police action. "This is unacceptable and should not happen in a democracy. This is intimidating and has no role in a democracy," he said. Dr Syed Naseer Hussian, All India Congress Committee national spokesperson, incharge J&K and MP Rajya Sabha, said, "The reports of journalists from national newspapers being summoned and questioned over routine reporting in J&K are a matter of serious public concern. A democratic society cannot function when the basic act of asking questions is treated as an act of defiance." "The LG office, functioning under the authority of Centre, must ensure that governance in J&K is exercised through transparent, consultative, and lawful means," he added. He called upon the Centre of India to issue clear and binding guidelines preventing the summoning or questioning of journalists for routine and lawful reporting. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party supported the police move. J&K BJP chief spokesman Altaf Thakur termed the action in national interest. "There's nothing wrong with it. National interest is on top," he said....