Srinagar, Aug 10: Demanding removal of the newly appointed Station Director, the Programme Staff Association and Announcers Association of  Radio Kashmir Srinagar on Tuesday held a sit-in-protest at the main gate of the station here.
Holding placards reading, “Transfer station director or transfer us,” the programmers alleged that the Station Director, Bashir Arif had been harassing and abusing the station officials since he took over the charge.
They alleged that the director, on the basis of his personal likings, wanted to stop airing some popular Programmes from the station like live radio game show Dhadkan. “We are putting our best to cooperate with him, but he has been harassing and abusing the staff members, which has resulted in sufferings to most of the programmers, broadcasters and announcers. The programmers are not consulted on any issue,” noted broadcaster and State Secretary PSA Talha Jahangir told reporters.
Though, he said the Association had informed the concerned authorities in Delhi about the director’s behavior, there was no action. “We demand his transfer. The director wishes to run the station as a floor mill,” Jahangir said.
The programmers, announcers and broadcasters including Shamshad Kralwari, Humain Qaiser, Abdal Mehjoor, Nissar Naseem, Javaid Sofi, Satish Vimal, Maqsood Ahmad, GR Akhoon, BA Buch, Muhammad Tariq, Narinder Pal Singh, Ishfaq Lone and Samia Shah were present on the occasion besides head News Section Radio Kashmir, Gurcharan Kour.
Jehangir alleged that during the review meetings the director “would tease the staffers and even abuse our colleagues.” However he asserted that the programmers were committed to their job.
“We try to give our best and its example is morning programmes like Nawai-Subuh, Subu Ghahi which have been successfully aired by us at time when the situation in the Valley is disturbing,” he said.
Noted broadcaster Shamshad Kralwari said as broadcasters they had been listening to the grievances of people. “Now we want authorities to pay heed to our problems,”
Another broadcaster, Ishfaq Lone said the director can’t change the rules and ethics of the programming and the standards of broadcasting.
“Usually these things are discussed threadbare during review meetings but the director is forcing his orders on us,” he said adding
Earlier a meeting of PSA was held under the chairmanship of its state Secretary.          
During the meeting different issues were discussed and later Kralwari was elected as the unit Secretary of the Association.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST