No provocative SMSes in strife-torn Jammu region: SC

New Delhi, Aug 5 (UNI) The Supreme Court today stayed yesterday's J &K High Court order directing the state government not to ban provocative and inflammatory SMSes.

The Jammu district administration had banned two local TV channels namely Jammu and Kashmir channel and Take-1 channel and, SMSes which instigated communal violence in the strife torn Jammu region of the state where a violent agitation had been launched by the BJP and VHP against the state government's decision of cancelling the allotment of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices P Sathasivam and J M Panchal vacated the interim order of the state High Court on the petition filed by the J &K government against the order.

The apex court also directed the local administration to ensure immediate medical help in case of emergency to patients.

The district administration has also been directed to treat Press Identity Cards issued to media persons as curfew passes and allow them to perform their professional duties.

The ban order against the two local TV channels was withdrawn by the government after they gave an assurance that they will not telecast material which will instigate violence.

The district magistrate had passed an order on August 2 banning provocative SMSes.

The apex court today passed the orders when the matter was mentioned by the J &K counsel for immediate hearing in view of the sensitive issue involved.

UNI SC PD RP DS1552