Editors' body condemns 'undeclared censorship' in Kashmir

NEW DELHI: A top body of newspaper editors has strongly condemned the " undeclared censorship" on newspapers in Kashmir Valley, calling it a direct attack on freedom of press.

The All India Newspaper Editors' Conference (AINEC), in a strongly worded resolution, slammed the alleged ban on publications, raids on the newspaper offices and printing presses and said the PDP-BJP government in the state has "failed" the right thinking people.

"No government in the Centre or in the states can preserve democratic traditions of our great country without supporting the freedom of press, in spirit and reality.

"Unfortunately, the BJP-PDP alliance in the J and K, seems to have failed the right thinking people in the Kashmir Valley," AINEC president Vishwa Bandhu Gupta said.

He said, "This new method, of undeclared censorship adopted by the BJP-PDP combine has set a new precedent of censorship, and it is totally unacceptable."

The AINEC urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to refrain from "restrictive and undemocratic" methods to "gag" the press in the Valley.

The newspaper owners in violence-hit Kashmir had decided not to publish newspapers after authorities allegedly raided some media houses and seized their printed copies on Saturday.

However, the newspapers were today back on the stands after five days.

Yesterday, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had met editors and owners of the city-based newspapers and expressed regret over restrictions on the media.

Earlier this week, the Editors Guild of India had condemned the Jammu and Kashmir government for "unwarranted muzzling" of media in the state.

On Monday, Press Council of India (PCI) chairman Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad had ordered registration of a complaint over the alleged crackdown and sought a report from the state government.