Why is media coverage being hampered, Press Council asks NIT, Srinagar

The Press Council of India (PCI) on Wednesday served notice to the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar, for allegedly imposing restrictions on media from covering of news in the campus.

Taking suo-motu cognizance on the matter, following tensions in the campus, the council in a letter to the Director of NIT, Srinagar, sought a reply on the matter within two weeks.

"In view of the gravity of the matter, it will be appreciated if a reply in the matter could be filed within two weeks from the date of receipt of this letter to enable the Council to decide further course of action," the missive said.

The Press Council of India is a quasi-judicial and statutory authority set up to work for preserving the freedom of the press and of maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and news agencies in the country.

The PCI is mandated to keep check on such developments which have the tendency to "affect the freedom of press", the letter stated.

Tension gripped the NIT-Srinagar campus late on Tuesday after a group of non-Kashmiri students clashed with the police.

An official said police resorted to a baton charge to disperse the students, in which seven of them sustained minor injuries.

The campus atmosphere has been surcharged ever since Kashmiri students celebrated India's defeat to the West Indies in the World T20 semi-final on March 31. The non-Kashmiri students objected to this, leading to a clash and subsequent tensions.