Srinagar, July 18: Despite state government’s assurance that the media men with valid passes would move hassle-free during curfew, the paramilitary CRPF deployed in city and elsewhere refuse to acknowledge it.
 A number of media persons complained that paramilitary troopers harassed them on Sunday at several places, including Saida Kadal, Safa Kadal, Rainawari, Batmaloo and Bemina and did not allow their free movement even when they had valid curfew passes.
 The staff of Greater Kashmir who had passes alleged that CRPF men harassed them at Saida Kadal and Batamaloo and were not allowed to move towards their office.
 “It was after the intervention of a senior police officer that we were allowed to move ahead. I showed my curfew pass to CRPF men at Batamaloo. However, they did not entertain it,” said a GK staffer wishing not to be named.
 Since the passes issued are valid till July 31, the CRPF said they would only accept the curfew passes, which have been issued as of today.
 Nazir Ganai, a correspondent of a local daily, too was subjected to harassment.
 “Even after I showed curfew pass to CRPF at Foot Bridge, they stopped me and hurled abuse on me.”
 Nazir said that CRPF officer told him to go and better stay at home. “We have seen enough of your media,” Nazir quoted CRPF men as saying.
 Earlier, the newspaper organizations had suspended their publications in protest against the curbs imposed on media including curtailing the movement of journalists and harassment by police and CRPF.
 However, on July 11 the newspaper organizations decided to resume publication following an assurance from the state government at a meeting with media associations that the curfew passes would not just be issued to journalists but would also be entertained by the security agencies.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST