Srinagar, April 7 -- The media bodies in Kashmir on Wednesday expressed anguish over the comments attributed to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar cautioning journalists not to come closer to encounter sites and law and order situations.

In a joint statement issued here, a dozen media associations said on Wednesday that journalists in Kashmir have worked under tremendous pressure for the past several decades and despite facing threats to life, liberty and property, they upheld the principles of journalism and reporting.

"If this is a part of the official policy of police then it appears to be a tactic to coerce journalists into not reporting facts on the ground. It also seems to be a part of the string of measures ta...