Srinagar, July 7: Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday cancelled the curfew passes issued to the media persons and restricted their movement.
Most offices in the Press Enclave, media hub, in the Srinagar city remained closed as staff members could not reach there.
Following the government’s decision to gag media various news channels and newspapers could not report the  events of the day. “Most Valley based newspapers won’t be able to hit the stands on Thursday due to the curbs imposed by the government.”
 “Policemen did not honour the curfew passes issued by the District Magistrate (DM),” a group of photojournalists told Greater Kashmir.
“If you want to come out, get the new passes. Stay indoors if you want to remain alive” they quoted policemen as having said.
They said that they informed the officials of the state Information department about police not honoring the curfew passes. “We cannot issue new passes as DM is not available,” mediamen quoted official as having told them.
When contacted the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Meraj Ahmed Kakroo said that all curfew passes had been cancelled.
“Army is out….and curfew passes are not being entertained,” Kakroo said.
The president of Kashmir Press Association (KPA), Ghulam Hassan Kaloo termed media gag  as an assault on the freedom of press by the government.
“I have already taken up the matter with Director Information. He assured me that new passes will be issued soon,” a wire agency quoted Kaloo as having said.
In a statement a spokesman of the Press Guild of Kashmir said, “The Omar Abdullah government has done everything to stop media persons from discharging their professional duties."
The spokesman denounced the curbs and the use of force against media persons. "In the wake of present turbulence, the government should have ensured free flow of information to keep people updated and to discourage rumour mongering. However, the reverse has happened," he added.
Kashmir Journalists Corps (KJC) condemned the restrictions imposed by the government on media persons.  “It is a direct attack on the fourth estate,” the KJC spokesman said.
He also expressed anguish over the way cameras were snatched from video-graphers.  The KJC also  sought the intervention of national and international journalist bodies to impress upon the authorities in the state to stop harassment of the media persons who are discharging their responsibilities under tough circumstances.
The  Indian Federation of working Journalist  has condemened the use of force against the journalist fraternity in Kashmir .
The spokesperson of IFWJ termed it as a direct attack on Press. “We request the Press Council of India to lodge a protest against the state government,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 8 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST