Kashmir cable operators resume airing Indian foreign channels

Srinagar, Apr 27 (UNI) The cable operators in the Kashmir valley have resumed airing all Indian and foreign channels after 48 hours suspension in retaliation to the ban imposed on four Pakistani Television channels by the district authorities.

However, the local channels were working normally.

The cable operators had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to authorities on April 24 evening to lift the ban on four Pak channels--Geo, ARY, PTV and Aaj-- otherwise they will suspend their operation in the valley. However, airing of Pak channels has not been resumed.

The district authorities had banned the airing of Pak channels in the valley with immediate effect and has warned that any cable operator found violating the ban orders will be booked under Cable Television Network (regulation) Act, 1996.

The authorities said the ban order was issued on the directions from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The cable operators in retaliation stopped airing any Indian or foreign channel, including sports channels.

The cable operators in the Kashmir valley faced ban on Pak channels for the first time though their operation remained suspended during Nineties because of threat from the separatists organisations.

A number of cable operators were killed and wounded after their installations were attacked by militants for airing some foreign channels, which they (separatists) feel were viewing immoral programmes.

The ban on the Pak channels was criticised by almost all mainstream parties besides separatists organisations.

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