50th Day of Communication Blockade in Kashmir!

This is the 50th day of the unprecedented and untenable communications blockade in Kashmir. There’s no sign that this government will be lifting it, despite the near universal condemnation from journalists’ bodies and international organisations. The latest is a Statement from the Kashmir Press Club:

Kashmir Press club demands lifting communication blockade
Says unreasonable restrictions aimed at gagging the press.

Srinagar: Kashmir Press Club (KPC) is deeply concerned over the prolonged and unprecedented communication shutdown in Kashmir entering 50th day on Monday.

The club’s management body during a meeting while discussing the impact of the mobile telephony and internet blackout said that it has severely hampered work of journalists and media. Journalists are handicapped and unable to get confirmation about ground situation due to this communication blockade. The restrictions are totally unwarranted and unreasonable aimed at gagging the Kashmir press.

The region is facing an unprecedented communication blockade with journalists and media’s access to internet and mobile phones curtailed. Currently, journalists and media workers are accessing internet at the only government-run media centre established in Srinagar.

There have been several reminders from the club to the government for freeing communication of newspaper offices, journalists and the club itself. But an inordinate delay in restoring the communication confirms the misgiving that the government doesn’t intend to provide an enabling atmosphere for the media to operate in the Valley.

The Kashmir Press Club had also submitted a list containing the mobile phone numbers of the accredited journalists, editors and the registered members of the KPC to the concerned authorities on September 19, but unfortunately no action appears to have been taken over it so far.

KPC reiterates its demand for the government to immediately lift ban on mobile and internet which will enable the media to function without any hassle in the valley.

Kashmir Press Club
Spokesperson
Dated 23/9/19