No newspapers in Kashmir for second day after clampdown

SRINAGAR: Local newspapers failed to hit the stands for the second consecutive day on Sunday in curfew-bound Kashmir after the government’s alleged “clampdown” on the media.

No local paper — English, Urdu as well as Kashmiri — was available as the newspaper owners decided not to publish them after authorities on Saturday allegedly raided some media houses and seized their printed copies.

Attempts to seek an official version of the events did not fructify.

Jammu and Kashmir Police had allegedly raided the offices of at least two newspaper printing presses in Rangreth Industrial Estate in the outskirts of the city here barring them from printing the newspapers.

Policemen had seized the plates of newspapers and printed copies and closed down the printing presses.

Following the police action, a meeting of Kashmir-based newspaper editors, printers and publishers was held on Saturday at Press Colony in which the issue was discussed.

The journalists also held a protest against the clampdown and termed it as an attack on the freedom of press.

2,000 ADDITIONAL CRPF TROOPS RUSHED TO J&K

About 2,000 additional CRPF personnel are being rushed to violence-hit Kashmir Valley.

Official said that a total of 20 fresh companies (100 personnel in each) are being rushed to the Valley which will be in addition to 2,800 Central Reserve Police Force personnel which were sent to assist the state police last week. SRINAGAR: Curfew in Kashmir continued for the ninth consecutive day, even as the Valley remained tense on Sunday amid deaths of at least 41 people in clashes between civilians and forces.

Mobile networks, apart from that of the government-owned BSNL, remained suspended, while cable TV network was gagged early on Saturday, but restored by night.

The weekend saw the death of youth in Kupwara during clashes that left two injured. HTC