Conflict in "Gretaer Kashmir"

(September 17, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) The South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) has called on the Indian government to lift an undeclared ban on the media. After the recent wave of violence took 18 lives, an 18-hour long curfew was imposed in the valley. No newspaper—English or Urdu—could be distributed in the last three days in the wake of strict curfew and security situation. "Greater Kashmir", a leading Srinagar-based English daily, in its online edition said the curfew and restrictions imposed by the government forced local newspaper organisations and television networks to suspend their operations.

Authorities have also banned local channels from airing news bulletins and ordered cable operators to take off the air all unregistered channels. The incidents of thrashing of journalists and tearing their curfew passes by men in uniform show how crippled the media is in Kashmir, said Kumar Ketkar, Chairman of SAMC and Najam Sethi, its Secretary General. Unrest should not be an excuse to restrict journalists from reporting in consequences of lack of information, both said in a joint statement.

The SAMC has taken a serious note of the violations of freedom of press and freedom of movement and considers suspension of publications as a blow to media rights. "We ask the Indian government to uphold democratic values in Kashmir, and order the security forces to facilitate journalists and let them perform their duties, said the SAMC. We express our support and solidarity with the Kashmiri people and journalists and expect a democratic attitude from the government.