The statement added that editors and owners of the newspapers “regret that it may not be possible for us to resume publication of newspapers” on Wednesday morning.
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Ban on local newspapers and magazines continued, as the PDP-BJP government’s stand has not convinced the owners to resume publishing.
“Just saying that it was some “miscommunication” is not enough”.
“There has been no ban on the media (in Kashmir)”, Mattoo, the political advisor to the chief minister, said here.
In Pakistan, federal government has asked the provincial governments to observe “Black Day” on July 20 against Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir.
The government’s flip-flop and Mattoo being economical with the truth behind the ban has once again exposed how clueless the state government appears on the method to control the Kashmir crisis or bring some semblance of peace to the valley.
When a senior cabinet minister and government spokesperson in no ambiguous terms tells editors of Srinagar-based dailies to shut, the decision to gag the media amid heightened security restrictions in the Kashmir Valley can not be “local”.
Two people, including a woman, were killed in the clash late Monday after soldiers fired at rock-throwing protesters in southern Qazigund area, said the officer speaking on a customary condition of anonymity.
Around 36 people have been killed and 3,100 wounded, majority by police fire, in the worst outbreak of violence in six years in the disputed territory also claimed by India’s arch rival Pakistan. They have alleged that the PDP-BJP government is not speaking in one voice and not owning up the “press emergency” imposed by it.
The United States, while still avoiding a public stance, has been quietly engaged with both India and Pakistan for promoting a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, says the US State Department.
Train services between Baramulla town in the Valley and Bannihal town in the Jammu region also remained suspended for the 11th day on Monday.
Anti-riot troops have been using live ammunition, pellet guns and tear gas to disperse the crowds and calm down the outrage over the past few weeks. Police raided newspaper offices, detained printing press workers and seized tens of thousands of local newspapers.
Separatist leaders on Friday evening called for a 72 hour strike and protests against the killings of civilians.
One young villager was killed and at least two other people were wounded, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.
The two countries have fought three wars – in 1948, 1965 and 1971 – since they were partitioned in 1947, two of which were fought over Kashmir.
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Clashes were reported in several places in northern Kashmir on Sunday, and at least six people were injured, police said.
