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13 scribes injured in CRPF action

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: Over 13 journalists were injured, one of them seriously, when Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel beat them up in separate incidents here on Sunday. The journalists were on their way to work during curfew.

At several places in Kashmir, people who came out in groups to defy curfew were chased away by the CRPF and the Army who used tear smoke shells and at some places opened fire. Reports said 25 people, including five policemen, were injured.

The authorities have banned the local cable channels from transmitting news. CRPF personnel refused to honour the curfew passes produced by the journalists. They had been issued by the District Magistrate on August 12.

Those injured include Bilal Bhat, John Mohammad (Sahara News), Manoj Kaul, Jehangir (ETV), Aijaz Ahmad (News X) and Amin War (The Tribune). Earlier the circulation of local newspapers was also stopped by the CRPF at several places.

Journalists staged a sit-in at the press enclave protesting against the CRPF conduct. They asked the government to clarify whether it would allow the media to function freely.

CRPF spokesman Prabhakar Tripathi said the civil administration had told the force not to honour the old passes. He, however, apologised for the use of force.

Sensing more trouble and restrictions on their movements, all the foreign journalists camping here for the last few days have left.

An official spokesman said the District Magistrate, Srinagar, in exercise of powers under Section 11 (1) of the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995 issued orders to stop, with immediate effect, the telecast of all news and other items inflammatory in nature and thereby disturbing the peace and tranquillity of the general public. However, they have been allowed to run the usual entertainment programmes as permitted by the Act.

The spokesman said the situation was assessed by the administration and it was felt that it had become absolutely imperative to take action against the channels in the larger public interest and for maintenance of public order.

Leaders arrested

In view of Monday’s proposed Hurriyat march to the Lal Chowk here, some middle rung leaders of the grouping — Ayaz Akbar, Abdur Rashid Hakim, Merjauddin and Salim Geelani — have been arrested.

However, Hurriyat leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani have vowed to go ahead with the march despite restrictions. “We will go ahead with our programme and government cannot stop this revolution” Mr. Geelani told The Hindu over the phone from his residence. “India should see the writing on wall and concede our demand of right to self determination.”

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