With the communication blockade in Kashmir region entering its 51th day on Tuesday, the Kashmir Press Club said the “unreasonable restrictions” are aimed at “gagging the press.”
Journalists handicapped and unable to confirm ground situation due to communication blockade, says Kashmir Press Club.
Demanding the lifting of the communication blockade, the spokesperson said “there have been several reminders from the club to the government to free the communication of newspaper offices, journalists, and the club itself.”
According to the spokesperson, the Kashmir Press Club submitted a list of journalists’ cellphone numbers on Sept. 19, so their access can be restored, but “unfortunately no action appears to have been taken over it so far.”
“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 statement said.
India has said that 93% of restrictions have been eased in the conflict-ridden region, a claim that internation news agencies have been unable to verify independently.
