Chief Minister Said Sorry to Journalist Fraternity

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday tendered his apologies to media men following impediments in newspaper distribution this morning but urged the fraternity members to bear with difficulties during the current situation. “I apologise to the journalist fraternity,” the chief minister Omar Abdullah told assembly after the issue about hindrance to newspaper distribution was raised by various legislators. The issue was raised by National Panthers Party (NPP) member Harsh Dev Singh, CPI (M) MLA M Y Tarigami and president of Peoples Democratic Front, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen and independent MLA Er Rashid during a discussion before Question Hour. “This morning, police and security forces seized copies of newspapers published from summer capital of the state. Police also allegedly detained the hawkers, while three scribes were beaten up as they were on their way to the Assembly complex. “Soon the points were raised in this regard by the legislators in the House, I asked for details from the Director General of Police and other concerned. I have been informed that two vehicles carrying news print had been stopped at the Kothibagh Police Station in the early morning for checking the print material to avoid circulation of any inflammatory matter,” he said, adding, “But the vehicles were allowed to move after making the necessary checking. I have been informed that this was done to prevent any untoward incident owing to the court verdict regarding Ayodhya. Whether any action was needed or not is being ascertained and a complete report from the concerned has been sought in this connection.” Omar Abdullah also asked the journalists to bear with the difficulties, insisting that preventing loss of life and property was of prime importance. Earlier, criticizing the government for curbs, Harshdev Singh termed the measures taken by the ruling coalition were reminiscent of the emergency days in 1975 when all papers were seized and hawkers detained. “Ironically, all this is happening in the times of Right to Information era,” he regretted. Hakeem Mohammad Yaseeen while regretting the curbs on free press said that it was against the principles of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, who had envisioned a vibrant media in his “Naya Kashmir” dream. Taking a dig at the government, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami expressed surprise over the issue of seizing the newspapers in modern times. “It is astonishing as to why police seize the news papers when people have access to 24-hour news channels which carry all the statements and information.” Targami also urged the ruling government to hold a meeting with the editors of local newspapers to mitigate gap with the fourth estate.