Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 19: Ex-pressing surprising over the assertions of Advisor to Chief Minister, Amitabh Mattoo during interview to New Delhi based news channel, that Chief Minister was not aware about the ban on media, Congress today asked PDP- BJP Coalition to come clean as to who approved the ban.
Terming the assertions of Prof Mattoo as confusing, besides misleading, PCC chief GA Mir while dismissing the statement, expressed serious concern over the way State Govt is functioning. He said imposing of ban on media without the approval of Chief Minister is impossible. It is something like Mr 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 president asked the PDP- BJP Coalition to come clean as to who approved the ban. He said it is obvious from the statement of Mr Mattoo that he is trying to hide something and wants to make administration, tactfully, accountable in this regard.
State Cong chief questioned as to who approved the ban and issued orders to raid office of newspapers, besides seizing thousands of copies of news papers? He said people have right to know who is at the helm of affairs, that too, in presence of the elected Government.
GA Mir said that sensitive decisions can’t be taken without the approval of Chief Minister and if Mr 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.
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 casualities, PCC chief said the betrayal, as per the statement of Mr Beigh reflects the failure of the Govt besides putting a big question mark on the functioning of Coalition Govt led by Mehbooba Mufti.
Mir also condemned the brutalities on innocent people of Verinag yesterday night by security forces without any provocation, leading to grave injuries to dozens of people.
PCC chief strongly condemned the killing of three persons at Qazigund yesterday evening due to firing. Terming this incident most unfortunate, PCC chief asked the authorities to punish the personnel involved in the crime.
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