Expressing surprise over the assertions of Advisor to Chief Minister Amitabh Matoo during an interview to a New Delhi based News Channel that Chief Minister “was not aware” about the ban on Kashmir media, J&K Congress Tuesday asked PDP-BJP Coalition to come clean as “who approved the ban”.Terming the assertions of Amitabh Mattoo as confusing, besides misleading, JKPCC Chief G A Mir while dismissing the statement, expressed serious concern over the way state government is functioning, imposing of ban on media “without the approval” of Chief Minister is impossible.“It is something like Mattoo tried to shift the focus on the administration and prove that the ban on Media had no approval from the Chief Minister, if he was right in his position, then the matter is very serious and needs to be looked into,” he said.PCC Chief asked the PDP-BJP Coalition to come clean as to who approved the ban. “It is obvious from the statement of Amitabh Matoo that he is trying to hide something and wants to make administration, tactfully, accountable in this regard.”
Mir questioned as who approved the ban and issued orders to raid offices of the Newspapers, besides seizing thousands of copies of newspapers. “People have right to know who is at the helm of affairs, that too, in presence of the elected Government.”“Sensitive decisions can’t be taken without the approval of Chief Minister and if Mattoo was right in his position, then the Chief Minister should not only acknowledge the statement of her Advisor but should also take stern action against the person or persons below, issuing orders at their will, which undoubtedly reflects that the Chief Minister has no control over the Administration,” Mir said.
“Congress Party realizes that Chief Minister should have ordered an enquiry on the very first day of the ban, in case it was not approved by her, besides revoking the ban, but no action was taken on the part of Chief Minister, therefore, Congress party demands that Chief Minister should clarify her position on this issue,” Mir said.Referring to the interview of Senior PDP Leader Muzaffar Hussain Beigh (MP) while talking to New Delhi based News Channel clearly stating that Chief Minister was “betrayed” by some senior police officers on account of excessive use of force on protestors leading to high number of causalities, PCC Chief said, “the betrayal, as per the statement of Beigh reflects the failure of the government besides putting a big question mark on the functioning of coalition government led by Mehbooba Mufti.” (CNS)