Srinagar, Jan 28: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Monday deplored the contemptible attitude of incumbent governor administration towards journalist fraternity of state particularly Kashmir saying that free press is critical to the working of any democratic set up.
Party’s General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar while addressing a gathering of workers and party functionaries here at party headquarters Nawa- e-Subha, Srinagar said, “The press and journalistic fraternity of Kashmir are the unsung heroes who notwithstanding the hostile environment are doing their bit to ensure that people are educated and informed,” adding that the various types of mass media plays an important role in the formulation of public opinion on the issues of public importance.”
Sagar said that media is handed with the huge responsibility of guarding the interests of people. “Ensuring a free and fair atmosphere for press and other mass media out fits has been a corner stone of NCs policy. Sher-e-Kashmir believed in the inevitability of press in a democratic setup,” he said.
Sagar said the incident of not allowing scribes to cover the republic day functions is reflective of the abhorrence that the incumbent governor administration has for press freedom. “Media being a fourth estate in a democratic setup should be given its due respect,” he said adding that the unremitting assaults on press, curbing their activities have become a norm, ever since BJP-PDP government took over the reins of power in the state. “The situation is no different under the governor administration,” he said.
Among others former minister Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Ali Muhammad Dar, Irfan Shah, Peer Afaq, Showkat Mir, Haji Abdul Ahad Dar were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile many delegations met general secretary at party head quarters and apprised him about the exigencies that have arisen due the recent incessant rains and snowfall. “The visiting delegations apprised me about the laid-back attitude of the incumbent administration towards mitigating the issues that have arisen due to the vagaries of weather,” he said adding, “I myself have been making tours of the city and the condition of the roads and drainage system presents a grimy tale. The situation in rural areas could be determined from the appalling condition of city roads.”
Sagar said that people have been left to fend for themselves and there is no accountability on ground. “The incumbent governor administration has failed on every conceivable scale in ensuring people all basic and effective amenities including electricity,” he said.
Sagar urged the incumbent governor administration to set in motion its men and machinery to give effective operational response to the post snowfall exigencies. “The incumbent administration should review the stock positions of all far-flung areas including Keran, Machil, Tangdhar, Gurez, Marwa, Dachan and Kargil,” he said.
