Media not allowed to enter polling stations in Kishtwar
HANDWARA: As polling commenced for the municipal committees of Kupwara and Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Monday, media was initially barred from covering the first phase.
However, restrictions were lifted after senior officials intervened.
This happened despite the state’s election office issuing special passes to mediapersons, who were instead asked by the police to cover elections from outside.
In Kupwara, where polling was held for 11 wards of the municipal committee, police reportedly issued strict instructions not to allow mediapersons inside polling stations. “We have been asked by the SSP not to allow any mediaperson to go inside the polling station. We are just obeying the orders. You can cover the elections from outside the polling stations,” said an officer at the polling station inside a primary school in Kupwara
Cops deputed at Chuttipora Langate ahead of Handwara town also didn’t allow journalists to proceed towards the town when polling was on. “We have clear instructions from officers not to allow any mediaperson inside the town where elections are on. We are only doing our job,” the policeman said.
Later, on the intervention of Kupwara deputy commissioner Khalid Jahangir and after waiting for an hour, this correspondent was allowed to move towards the town.
“We are doing all this as there is a security risk to voters. We don’t want their lives to be put at risk. However, there is no ban on entry of media entry at any place,” the DC said.
Some police officials wanted to media to cover the polling under their watch. “How can they (officials) tell us what to report and how to report? This is against ethics of journalism. If they have problem with media then election office should have never issued us special passes,” said a senior journalist who was also stopped in Handwara town.
As per official figures, Kupwara district witnessed highest polling in the Valley with 32.3% people cast their votes.
› How can they (officials) tell us what and how to report? This is against ethics of journalism. If they have problem with the media, then the election office should have never issued us special passes. Senior journalist