Mehbooba govt decides to revoke ban on popular English daily

Ending suspense, Mehbooba Mufti led government in Jammu and Kashmir has decided to lift the three month old ban on one of the most respected English dailies `The Kashmir Reader.

The daily was banned on October 2 after district magistrate Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Lone invoked section 144 of CrPC, Section 3 of Newspapers Incitement of Offences Act 1971 and Section 10 Press and Publication Act of 1989.

In his order, the district magistrate had called the newspaper threat to the public tranquility and noted that it contains material and content which tends to “incite acts of violence and disturb public peace and tranquility”.

Director Information Dr Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary told DNA that formal orders will be issued in a day or two. “The government has considered their representation and other material record and taken a view that there is no need for further ban. We will allow its publication. Former order is under process and that will be issued in a day or two”, he said.

HIlal Mir, Editor of the Kashmir Reader, told DNA that director Information has spoken to their bureau chief about this issue. “He spoke to our bureau chief and said we can resume our publication”, said Mir.