The Indian government has shut down the Kashmir Press Club, prompting an outcry from local journalists, politicians and others who deem the closure further evidence of efforts to silence critical reporting in the disputed territory. The KPC was the only elected journalists' body in Kashmir liaising with the government on difficulties faced by reporters and had issued statements critical of police actions hindering the media. Authorities on Monday said that the association, only created in 2019 after a lengthy struggle by local journalists, had "ceased to exist" as a registered body, accusing members of "illegalities on several counts". IMAGES