Police seizes thousands of copies of English daily “The Rehmat” at Srinagar

Srinagar:J&K Police has seized thousands of copies of English daily “The Rehmat” from the Place of its distribution.The J&K police along with paramilitary forces descended at the distribution place of English daily “The Rehmat” today early in the morning at 4 A.M and seized all the copies in their vehicles to Khothebagh Police station. In this regard none of the administrative or Police officials were available for any comment.
Meawhile negative developments and Valley of Kashmir seem to have developed an unbreakable relationship. Amidst the strict curfew, authorities on Friday put a gag on newspaper distribution across Kashmir especially in the summer capital Srinagar while hawkers were harassed at many places by the police and CRPF men.
As a matter of fact, entire valley of Kashmir has been put under severe curfew with heavy deployment of police and CRPF on the streets, while thousands of copies of other leading newspapers were seized by police and CRPF and thus the newspapers could not hit the stands nether could they reach to respective district headquarters. Hawkers were also harassed at many places by the police and CRPF when they tried to distribute the copies of newspapers.The Hawker of the Daily Rehmat was also detained by Kothibagh Police Station and all the copies of the newspaper were seized by the police thus preventing distribution of the newspaper.Since the start of current upheaval in the Valley of Kashmir, the local print media has had to bear severe brunt.Meanwhile Kashmir Press Association and Kashmir Press Guild in an emergency meeting conducted as on 1st October, 2010, has condemned the seizure of newspapers by police during wee hours today. It was stated by KPA that It has not only caused huge financial loss to the of the Proprietors of newspapers, but has also deprived the readers of day to day information. KPA feels that this amounts to invasion on freedom of expression and information which is utter violation of the constitution. The KPA urges the Chief Minister to come out with a clear cut policy towards publication of newspapers in Kashmir Valley.