Newspapers to be back in Kashmir today; J&K CM's office denies 'approving' ban

July 19, 2016 09:02

Three days after a clampdown on news organisations in the Kashmir Valley, newspapers are expected to hit stands on Tuesday, even as the chief minister Mehbooba Mufti's office denied approving the ban on the press.

Mufti's top aide Amitabh Mattoo said that the CM office did not approve of the restriction, and claimed it was imposed without her knowledge.

The statement, however, contradicted the government spokesperson's confirmation of the ban on Saturday.

Senior minister Nayeem Akhtar had then told Hindustan Times that the "undesirable step was taken to ensure peace".

"This is an extraordinary situation, very strict curfew will be imposed in the city and newspaper distribution will not be possible. So, we have asked the newspapers not to publish," he said, claiming the step was taken "to save lives and strengthen the peace efforts".

The gag on news media followed a week of violent unrest in the Valley, following the killing of the young Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani.

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