Srinagar, The J&K Police have clarified that a general FIR has been filed and no person has been named in it in connection with a news item published in a national daily regarding an encounter in Shopian in South Kashmir.

Speaking to IANS, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said the investigation can only be started by filing a general FIR.

"We are investigating the case, it can be more than one person who had circulated the news on social media," he said.

Earlier on Monday, the police said in a statement that on April 18, the Cyber Police Station in Srinagar received information through reliable sources that one Facebook user namely Masrat Zehra is frequently uploading anti-national posts with criminal intention.

"The post by the users can provoke the public to disturb law and order and to glorify anti-national activities. In this regard, FIR No. 10/2020 under the relevant provision of law was registered at the Cyber Police Station.

"The Cyber Police Station called the Facebook user, Masrat Zehra, to the police station for questioning, and not to the Air Cargo Complex," the statement said.

The statement further said that on April 19, an information was been received regarding a fake news item being published in the "The Hindu" by a journalist named Pir Zada Ashiq regarding an encounter at Shopian and subsequent developments.

"The details quoted in the news item were factually incorrect and could cause fear or alarm in the minds of the public. The news was published without seeking confirmation from the district authorities. In this regard, FIR No. 81/2020 was registered in P/S Anantnag and the individual was called at P/S Anantnag for questioning. The investigation in both the cases is in progress," the statement read.

"IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar has appealed the journalists/media fraternity not to publish fake and fabricated news stories which have bearing on the security of the nation and which have the potential of causing social instability and can lead to law and order problem. He appealed that any such information be clarified/confirmed before publication," the statement added.