Kashmiri journalists condemn 'curbs' on valley's press

New Delhi, Aug 28 (UNI) The Kashmir Press Association (KPA), an organisation of journalists working in Kashmir, today strongly condemned the ''curbs'' on media in the valley and appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene.

In a statement issued here, KPA President G H Kaloo said the necessary facilities should be provided to journalists of different organisations working in the valley so that they were able to function ''without any fetters.'' The statement said the Amarnath land allotment issue had pushed Jammu and Kashmir to the ''brink of a precipice'' and Kashmir valley had been reeling under curfew since August 24.

Newspaper offices and journalists had been denied adequate number of curfew passes which had hampered their movement. As a result, no newspaper had hit the stands since that day, Mr Kalooo said.

''This is invasion of the freedom of expression... The Kashmir Press Association takes strong notice of the curbs on press and urges the government to stop muzzling the free voice. Necessary facilities need to be provided to journalists of all categories so that they are allowed to function without fetters,'' the statement added.

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