Srinagar journalists boycott Govt functions

Srinagar-based journalists working for various national and international newspapers and agencies have decided to boycott all government functions to protest against the ''ruthless police action'' on journalists outside the civil secretariat.

The mediapersons have surrendered their accreditation cards to the state government and demanded suspension of three police officers involved in the incident. Ironically, the mediapersons marched to the secretariat to protest against a similar incident: roughing up of AFP correspondent Surinder Oberio by superintendent of police (city east) Mubarik Ganiae and his men. Meanwhile, the All Party Hurriyat Conference called a general strike to protest against the state government's refusal to allow a public meeting. Despite tight security arrangements around the United Nations (UN) office in Srinagar, two senior APHC leaders Abdul Gani and Moulvi Abbas Ansari and their supporters managed to reach the office and submitted a memorandum to the military observers.

The authorities said the APHC had not sought the district magistrate's permission to hold the meeting. Shops, business establishments in Srinagar and other places remained closed and traffic was also off the roads.