Ban on some cable channels to continue

Srinagar, Mar 9: Rejecting the appeal made by breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) Ghulam Nabi Sumji, two mlitants outfits - Al-Madina and Al-Badr said ban imposed on some cable channels in Kashmir will continue.

Political leaders should desist from intervening into the matter, a caller identifying himself as spokesperson of the two outfits told local mediapersons.

Cable TV operators in the valley suspended the telecast of three English channels and viewing of Kashmiri songs from March 5 following the threat by two militant outfits, who claimed responsibility for most of the fidayeen attacks in the valley.

The militant outfits threatened to attack broadcast installations if the ''obscene programmes'' were not stopped immediately.

A spokesman of the Kashmir Cable Network (KCN) Mohammad Ashraf told UNI that they have stopped three channels-- Star Movies, Star World and Sony Pic-- from March 5 because of the militants'threats.

The outfits, without specifying what programmes they were banning, called for an end to ''obscenity'' on cable television.

Mr Ashraf said they have already stopped AXN, HBO and some other foreign channels showing obscene programmes.

He said they have also stopped showing Kashmiri songs with girls wearing non-Kashmiri outfits.

Last year, cable operators in Kashmir suspended operations after militant groups threatened to launch suicide attacks on their centres.

However, they resumed transmission after the ban was lifted.

About a dozen cable operators were also attacked by the unknown gunmen in the valley during the past three years.

The acting chairman of the HC (Geelani) had recently appealed to the outfits to review their decision on the ban.

The spokesman of the outfits said the ban would continue on the channels that have been identified by them.

UNI

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