Kashmir papers

The letter f urther says, “...publishing of anti-national articles in the newspapers of the state should be strictly dealt with. Such newspapers should also not be given any patronage by way of advertisements by the state government. This may be circulated to all concerned for strict compliance.”

Home ministry officials declined comment.

Shujaat Bukhari, editor of Rising Kashmir newspaper, told HT that the move was “not in sync” with the Centre’s effort to start a dialogue in Kashmir.

“Three major papers of Kashmir, which include Greater Kashmir, Rising Kashmir and Kashmir Times, have been banned from getting any central government advertisements from the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) for the last eight years. We are already bleeding and now they want us to bleed more by telling the state government to stop state advertisements as well,” Bukhari told HT.

A few days after the note was sent, the central government appointed former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma as its special representative to start a dialogue in the state by engaging all political parties and stakeholders. Sharma will visit the state on Monday.

Bukhari added that local papers reported the ground situation in Kashmir. “The government has expressed concerns over our coverage of militant funerals. National newspapers do the same. So why are local papers being singled out?” R enter. “The entry gate is adjacent to the air force station and can be accessed from the main road. When the driver entered the ground, our staff closed the gate to prevent him from escaping. He was caught and handed over to police,” the official said.

Following the incident, the match referee examined and ruled the pitch and outfield had not suffered any damage and play resumed.

Acting president of the cricket board, CK Khanna, said it would seek a report from its affiliate, Services Sports Control Board. “This is a breach of security measure at the SSCB ground. Imagine if the man had any sinister motive, then lives of international cricketers could have been in danger,” Khanna was quoted by news agency PTI as saying.

Delhi team manager Shankar Saini, who was at the ground, said: “Thank God nothing untoward happened. There was a possibility it could have been more serious.”

A SENIOR IAF OFFICIAL SAID THAT AROUND 4.30PM, A SECURITY GUARD OF THE IAF WAS CHECKING A

BCCI VEHICLE WHEN HE SAW THE WAGON R ENTER