No local newspaper in Kashmir for 3rd day today

Srinagar, Aug 27 (UNI) No local newspaper hit the stand for the third day today due to indefinite curfew, while all local television channels also remained off the air for the fourth day in the Valley.

However, Greater Kashmir and Raising Kashmir were avilable on the internet. The two english dailies managed to update their internet edition for the benefit of readers, who also could not get even the national and regional papers from Jammu due to curfew.

People in the Valley had to rely on National television channels, BBC and Radio Kashmir for news, besides accessing national and international newspapers through Internet.

Offices of all other 40 local english and urdu dailies remained closed, following curfew restrictions in Srinagar and other major towns.

The management of the local dailies said there was no fun of publishing the newspaper when there were no means to distribute them.

''We could not distribute our newspapers on August 24, because of sudden announcement of curfew by the authorities. We have suffered huge losses,'' they said.

Meanwhile, all the local channels remained off the air to protest the District Magistrate's order, directing them not to telecast news and current affairs programmes.

An official spokesman said the channels can telecast other programmes. However, he said notices were issued to them not to telecast any such news item which could vitiate the law and order situation and inflame passions with a view to fuel public disorder.

A number of media organisations, political parties and social organiation condemned the attack on media by CRPF, and directing the channels not to telecase the news. They termedit on attack on the freedom of press.

UNI BAS ATI RAI1206