By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has lifted the ban on publication of valley-based Kashmir Reader, close to three months after it was banned.
The decision was disclosed by Director Information, J&K Government, Shahid Iqbal to The Indian Express. He said that the newspaper had made a representation before the government seeking permission to resume the publication, following which the government reviewed the case and found no ground to further disallow the publication.
The senior information official have further said that a formal order on revoking the ban will be issued in a day or two.
The J&K government move comes after months of criticism received by news organization and associations across India and world. Almost every week after the newspaper ban on October 2, journalists in Kashmir marched and protested against the media censorship in city center Lal chowk.
The editors guild of Kashmir was also actively meeting and negotiating with the government on revoking the newspaper ban.
On Oct 2, about five Jammu and Kashmir police officials paid a visit to Kashmir Reader’s office in Srinagar along with an order issued of District Magistrate Srinagar which called for immediate ban on publishing the newspaper.
The newspaper, as per the government order, carried content which had a chance to incite acts of violence and disturb public peace and tranquility in whole J&K particularly in Srinagar district.
The DM had further threatened Kashmir Reader with forfeiting its printing press and other properties, in case of violation of the said order.
The banning of newspaper has already created a furore in Kashmir as well as all among the press freedom watchdogs who have condemned government’s unprecedented move.