They have alleged that the PDP-BJP government is not speaking in one voice and not owning up the “press emergency” imposed by it. “Terming Kashmir issue internal matter of India is not justifiable”, he said.
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In his message, Sharif said, “Today we are observing Black Day to express solidarity with Kashmiris and are giving a strong message to the world that Pakistanis are with them (Kashmiris) for their struggle to get their rights”. Almost 2,000 civilians and about 1,600 government troops have been injured.
Javaid Ahmad Mir in his statement in Srinagar said that Indian troops had killed more than 40 people and injured over 3500 civilians during last 12 days but the worldwide community had kept criminal silence and had miserably failed to address the long-pending Kashmir dispute.
“The decision to allow the pilgrims to proceed to the Valley will be taken after reviewing the situation later in the day”, a senior police officer told IANS in winter capital Jammu.
The central government, according to the sources, also rebuked the state government over the media ban. In addition to the printing ban, cellular and internet services were absent and landline phone access limited, except in Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar city.
The protests, marked by clashes between rock-throwing Kashmiris and troops firing live ammunition, pellet guns and tear gas, persisted despite a strict curfew in place for the eleventh straight day Tuesday.
The source said the ban was earlier imposed after a section of Mehbooba Mufti’s cabinet pressed for it and wanted to create an information blackout till the cycle of violence ended and some normality is restored. Streets were mostly deserted otherwise, and with shops still closed, people were trying to cope with shortages of food and other necessities.
The association has taken the issue “very seriously” and conveyed to Mattoo that the state government “must own up the ban and issue a statement guaranteeing that media operations will not be hampered, from the movement of staff, which includes news gathering, printing and the distribution of the newspapers”.
Separatist groups have called for protests after prayers this Friday.
Kashmir, a predominantly Muslim region, is divided evenly between India and Pakistan, but both claim it in its entirety.
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All officials of federal and provincial governments were wearing black band on duty to express “political, moral and diplomatic support” to Kashmiris.
