Srinagar, Oct 3: Awami Itihad President (AIP) and MLA Langate Er Rasheed on Monday condemned the ban on a local newspaper ‘Kashmir Reader’ while warning government of “dire consequences” if it doesn’t revoke the ban without any condition.
In a statement issued to GNS, Rasheed said, “On one hand, some so-called national TV channels have been given a free hand to defame and hurt the sentiments of Kashmiris and on other, any credible voice in J&K is being curbed with draconian laws.”
He said: “Like other rulers, the chief minister has been making frequent sermons in and outside the assembly to make the fourth pillar of democracy credible and strong but in practice is following the footprints of (former chief minister) Omar Abdullah who buried the local TV channels in 2010. The government is providing all facilities to media industry in Jammu but is cruel and brutal towards Kashmir-based print and electronic media.”
The MLA said these “dirty tricks” will yield nothing but bring bad name to the government and truth will prevail in the long run under all circumstances.
He demanded lifting of lifting ban on the newspaper without any delay. “The government must not forget that journalists in Kashmir have been working under terrible and worst circumstances,” he said. (GNS)