India lifts ban on printing Kashmir newspapers amid unrest

The Kashmir Reader, a daily English newspaper, said on its website July 17 that “the government has banned local media publications in Kashmir, ” and called on its readers to “bear with us in this hour of crisis”. “We have told Prof (Amitabh) Mattoo (political adviser to CM Mehbooba Mufti) that the government must own the ban and issue a statement guaranteeing that media operations are not being hampered”, Hussain said.

But on Monday, the government denied it had banned Srinagar-based newspapers, saying a “communication gap had led to the mistake” though a senior cabinet minister and official spokesperson, Nayeem Akhtar, had clearly asked editors and publishers to stop printing.

Kashmir’s largest street protests in years erupted more than a week ago after Indian troops killed a popular young rebel leader. “There was some miscommunication”, he said.

Saeed, for whom the USA has offered a $10 million, told supporters in Lahore that the rally will have three phases. “So, one really fails to understand.on one hand, the Home Minister says we are ready to reach out to people of Kashmir and on the other, bullets are not being controlled”, he rued. “It doesn’t help anyone”, he said.

Two people, including a woman, were killed late Monday after soldiers fired at rock-throwing protesters in southern Qazigund area, said the officer speaking on a customary condition of anonymity. Clashes were reported in several places in northern Kashmir July 17, and at least six people were injured, police said. Almost 2,000 civilians and about 1,600 government troops have been injured. Both sides rule the Himalayan region in part but claim it in full and India has long accused Pakistan of arming separatists battling Indian forces in its part of Kashmir.

In connection with “Kashmir Accession to Pakistan” Day, the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) arranged a rally to show solidarity with innocent people of the Indian-held Kashmir on Tuesday.

About 3,500 people have been hurt, many with eye injuries caused by pellets Indian forces have been firing from a non-lethal weapon. AP material published by LongIsland.com, is done so with explicit permission.