Newspapers in valley suspend publication

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

No newspapers will be published in the Kashmir valley for three days from Wednesday, when the local press begins its protest against the alleged security force atrocities in Kashmir. This was decided at a meeting of editors of all prominent local dailies.

Meanwhile, life in Kashmir was paralysed for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in view of the strike called by the separatist All Party Hurriyat Conference against alleged security force excesses in the troubled valley.

The strike was total in Srinagar and other towns. All the government offices, banks, educational institutions and semi-government offices remained closed even as the the government stepped up security arrangements in the valley.

The three-day strike, which was to end on Wednesday, has now been extended till Friday, to express solidarity with Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief Mohammad Yasin Malik who is on an indefinite strike in New Delhi. His fast entered the second day on Tuesday.

According to an APHC spokesman, Malik will continue his fast till the Government of India assures him that the atrocities on innocents will halt.

EARLIER STORY:
Hurriyat strike paralyses Kashmir