Newspaper editors and owners met on Wednesday and reviewed the progress on press emergency that was in vogue since Friday last.A delegation of the editors had an interaction with the Chief Minister in afternoon. The editors explained the entire situation that started with the police raids on the printing presses on Friday night. Police seized all the printed material and the plates and also arrested the printing staff to ensure that the newspapers are not reprinted.Later, in the day on Saturday, senior most spokesman of the government, also a cabinet minister, conveyed that “the government was imposing strict curfew for three days to prevent efforts aimed at subverting peace, during which movement of newspaper staff and the distribution of newspapers will be impossible.”Editors ceased publications immediately in wake of the restrictions imposed on the movement of staff and distribution of newspapers.
In the meeting with a delegation of editors, Chief Minister gave detailed presentation of the happenings that led to media related crisis. She strongly regretted and apologized for the situation that was created by a law and order related decision unintended at newspapers.Chief Minister assured that her government will not hamper the functioning of the media at any level and will look into the incidents that have taken place.The editors who later met in a meeting considered the government response and decided to resume publications from today hoping the resumption will remain unobstructed.The editors take this opportunity to reassure the society that the decision to suspend publication was involuntary. The fraternity, however, had not gone on a holiday and was working, and recording every single incident in last five days. (CNS)