J&K govt directs to stop printing, publication of Kashmir Reader

“On the basis of credible inputs it has been observed that the daily newspaper namely Kashmir Reader published within the jurisdiction of district Srinagar contains such material and content which tends to incite acts of violence and disturb public peace and tranquillity,” said the order issued by District Magistrate Srinagar.

“Therefore, it has become expedient in the interest of prevention of this anticipated breach of public tranquility to forthwith take necessary precautionary measures,” the order said and asked printing presses to stop printing Kashmir Reader with immediate effect.

“There are sufficient reasons to invoke the powers vested in me by Section 144 CrPC read with Section 3 of News Papers Incitement of offences Act, 1971 and Section 10 of Press and Publication Act, 1989 and proceed further in the matter by passing a conditional order of stopping the printing and publishing of News Paper namely “Kashmir Reader” through printing presses mentioned above,” the order reads.

Kashmir Media groups faces anger from state government during the ongoing turmoil which erupts after the death of top Hizb Leader Burhan  Wani along with three associates in Kokernag area Bamdoora village of South Kashmir.

The state government banned publication of newspapers for three days in the month of July after police raided media houses and shut down a major printing press in what is being seen as the most sweeping information blackout in the valley rocked by violence.

The gag on print media followed the worst violence in the restive valley in six years that has left at least 90 people dead and thousands wounded in clashes between security forces and protesters.