The Jammu and Kashmir Police raided the offices of local newspapers in Kashmir on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday and seized copies of the dailies. The media houses have been directed to stop their circulation.
According to a report in Greater Kashmir, one of the largest circulated newspapers in Kashmir, the police arrested its Printing Press Foreman Biju Chaudary and two other employees.
"The policemen seized the plates of Greater Kashmir and more than 50,000 printed copies of Kashmir Uzma and closed down the GKC printing press," reported the daily.
Another popular local daily, Rising Kashmir, was also asked to stop printing after police raided its printing press office in Budgam district. The police later arrested some members of the staff of Rising Kashmir and seized copies of the daily.
Rising Kashmir Editor Shujat Bukhari said in a tweet, " MediaCrackdown in #Kashmir @Rising_Kashmir 's driver Irshad chased by police earlymorning.All papers seized vehicle taken to police station."
Cable television, mobile phone networks and internet services have already been suspended in the Valley by the state government. The death toll in the state has climbed to 40 and more than 1,500 people have been injured in the clashes that erupted between protestors and security forces following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last week in South Kashmir. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have appealed to citizens to observe peace.
People are complaining of shortage of essential supplies such as food items, infant food, LPG, petrol and medicines. At many places in Srinagar and other districts, volunteers of various NGOs have stepped in to provide medical aid and food packets to people.
