Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Government
today banned an international news channel, Press TV, after it
aired a report about alleged desecration of a holy book in the
US that led to violent protests at many places in the Valley.
"The transmission of Press TV in Jammu and Kashmir has
been banned with immediate effect," State Chief Secretary S S
Kapur told reporters here.
He said the move was prompted after reports of alleged
sacrilege act involving a holy book in the United States
appeared on the website of the channel.
"We have run thorough all the major news networks
across the world, but only Press TV has carried the report,
which is yet to be authenticated," he said.
"We fully appreciate the sentiments of the people and
sympathise with them," he said.
He appealed to people not to take law in their hands
and help the government in maintaining law and order.
He also said that the channel was not registered with
the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry as required
under laws of the country.
"Any channel not registered with the I&B ministry
cannot be downloaded by cable networks. Press TV is not
registered in the country," Kapur said.
PTI
