PDP raps J

Srinagar, Aug 26 (UNI) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the arbitrary curbs imposed by the J&K government on the local electronic and print media in the Kashmir valley.

In a statement issued here today, a PDP spokesman said after banning the local news channels, the Government has now gagged the Kashmir-based newspapers by disallowing their publication for the past couple of days.

''Ironically, even the curfew passes issued to the local journalists were not being entertained by the law enforcing agencies, discouraging the media fraternity from performing their processional duties,'' he said and added that the ''double standards'' of the administration in dealing with the situation in the two regions of the state have not even spared the media.

Condemning the unwarranted use of force against the journalists at various places in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley, the spokesman said the Kashmir-based mediapersons deserve great honour for performing their duties against odds and trying circumstances.

He asked the government to lift the restrictions imposed on the media immediately so that the journalists, both from print and electronic sections were able to perform their duties without any hindrance.

''PDP expresses complete solidarity with the media fraternity of the valley which was going through the difficult times along with others,'' he added.

UNI BAS SK HS1733