J&K bans publication of local English daily

The Jammu and Kashmir government Sunday banned publication of a daily English language newspaper, as it can "easily incite acts of violence and disturb peace and tranquility".

"On the basis of credible inputs, it has been observed that the daily newspaper namely 'Kashmir Reader' published within the jurisdiction of district Srinagar contains such material and content which tends to incite acts of violence and disturb peace and tranquility," said an order issued by the Srinagar District Magistrate on Sunday evening.

"There are sufficient reasons to invoke the powers vested in me under Section 144 CrPc read with Section 3 of News Papers Incitement of Offences Act, 1971 and Section 10 of Press and Publication Act, 1989 and proceed further in the matter by passing a conditional order stopping the printing and publication of the newspaper namely 'Kashmir Reader' through printing presses," the district magistrate said.

During the beginning of the ongoing 86-day long unrest, the state government had ordered suspension of some daily newspapers in Srinagar, but the decision was later revoked after editors of local newspapers met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

--IANS

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