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Kashmir authorities impose restriction on media during student clashes
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the National Union of Journalists (India) (NUJI) in expressing serious concerns over the restriction imposed on media in Srinagar, Kashmir after a clash between student groups. The IFJ and NUJ(I) call on the local government to immediately lift the restrictions.On March 30, clashes between students groups erupted after India’s loss in the T20 World Cup semi-final. Media were not allowed access to the premises of the National Institute of Technology in Srinagar, where security forces were deployed after the clashes. According to reports, more incidents broke out on March 31, which led to the institute being closed until April 5.Ras Bihari, the NUJ(I) president, said in a statement: “The NUJ(I) feels that the district administration of Kashmir has no right to impinged the freedom of the press. The authorities should take necessary action and should lift the ban orders into the premises of NIT.”The IFJ said: “Restriction on media in covering events of public importance is against the norms of the press freedom. The IFJ urge the Kashmir authority to allow media access to perform their duty of informing the public about the events truthfully.”