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| ‘Omar does not believe in freedom of press’ | | Onslaught on Fourth Estate | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
srinagar, Sept 18: Notwithstanding Omar Abdullah's assurance to strengthen democratic institutions, the fourth pillar of democracy has not flourished in his regime. Manhandling of scribes, ban on publication and circulation of newspapers has been rampant.
The onslaught on the fourth estate started a few months back when a renowned cartoonist of the state and Editor Srinagar Times, Bashir Ahmad Bashir was also summoned to Jammu for similar reasons. He had published a cartoon in his daily depicting `sad state of affairs' in the legislative assembly. Bashir was in high spirits and desirous of going to Jammu to defend his cartoon. However, he was later told that his presence on the floor of the house was not needed. He welcomed the decision of the honourable speaker.
On July 3, the government banned four Jammu based newspapers for publishing a news circulated by the Zonal Police Headquarters. The newspapers, however, sought judicial intervention and resumed publication.
Manhandling of scribes forced the Valley based newspapers to suspend publication indefinitely on July 9. However, the officials of the information department and Chief Minister's principal Secretary intervened and the publication of newspapers was resumed.
However, a few days later the police seized copies of Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Uzma at several places in North Kashmir.
News agency owners said that police had laid a siege on Srinagar-Bandipora road and seized newspapers at Garoora without any reason.
"Police seized the copies and didn't allow the vehicle carrying them to move ahead of Garoora," they said.
A consignment of newspapers for Sopore town was stopped and seized at Mirgund. Pertinently, this is for the ninth time since the recent unrest that police has seized the copies of this newspaper.
On August 13 police again seized a consignment of newspapers at Sumbal in Bandipora district. The act was repeated yet again on September 8. Police seized copies of different newspapers bound for distribution in North Kashmir near Parimpora at the outskirts of Srinagar.
The police and CRPF men, who have placed barricades and concertina wires on roads to enforce curfew, are not allowing the media men to pass through the barricades and move ahead despite having valid curfew passes. For the past seven days no newspaper has been published from Srinagar. Only internet editions are available.
A senior Srinagar based journalist while commenting on the curbs on media said : "It seems Omar does not believe in freedom of press." |
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