Markandey Katju expresses concern on Arunachal Pradesh issue

NEW DELHI: Chairman of the Press Council of India, Justice Markandey Katju today said the newspapers industry has the right to raise concerns over the security of media houses and their employees, but suspending publication is not in public interest.

Katju was referring to the suspension of newspaper publication in Arunachal Pradesh following difference in opinion with State authorities and the members of Students' Union Movement of Arunachal Pradesh ( SUMA).

"I have noted with concern that the newspapers in Arunachal Pradesh have suspended publication for the last one week following difference in opinion with State authorities and the members of Students' Union Movement of Arunachal Pradesh (SUMA)", Katju said in a letter.

"While the newspapers industry has right to raise concern over the safety and security of the media houses and their employees, suspending of publication affects the right of the public to know," he said.

He further said, "I appeal to all concerned to iron out the difference amicably, and in particular to the state government of Arunachal Pradesh to convene a meeting of the concerned and make all necessary efforts towards the resolution of the issue for the newspapers to start their publication."

However, newspapers hit the stands in Arunachal Pradesh today, lifting five days of suspension of publication, following an assurance by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki to redress media organisations' grievances on security.

Newspaper publication were suspended after Arunachal Press Club (APC) and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) called for an indefinite closure of media houses, fearing confrontation between journalists and the Students' Union Movement of Arunachal (SUMA).