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Authorities ban newspaper in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Xinhua, October 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

The local government in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir has banned publication of a local english daily - Kashmir Reader to maintain "peace and tranquility," officials said Monday.

An order served to the newspaper by local administration asking it to stop printing and publishing said the content "tends to incite violence and disturb peace and tranquility."

"In the interest of maintaining public tranquillity, the District Magistrate Srinagar has ordered for stopping the printing and publishing of a daily newspaper namely 'Kashmir Reader' till further orders," a government spokesman said.

Hilal Mir, editor of the newspaper, told Xinhua that the ban seems an attempt to muzzle the voice of press. Mir said the order was delivered to them by a group of policemen on Sunday evening.

"The ban seems unreasonable, for the order does not refute any of our stories," the editor said.

Following the ban, Monday issue of Kashmir Reader could not hit the newsstands.

The ban on Kashmir Reader comes at a time when the region is witnessing violent protest against New Delhi's rule. The ongoing civilian protests, according to local media reports, saw around 90 civilians, mostly young men and children, dead and over 12,000 others injured.

The region on Monday observed a shutdown for the 87th-straight day in response to a call from separatists. The shutdown and restrictions by authorities has affected normal life in the region.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Endit