The Jammu and Kashmir government has asked the local press to refrain from publication of advertisements of separatists asking people to boycott the elections in the state or be ready to lose its advertisements, the Press Trust of India (PTI) has reported [Link].
"You are advised to please refrain from publication of objectionable and seditious material in your newspapers failing which the government shall be constrained to take action under rules," a letter addressed to the editors of newspapers has said.
The letter written by Secretary to Government Information Department KB Jandial and published by a leading English daily on Tuesday said, "It has been observed that newspapers have been publishing materials which grossly violate government advertisement policy under which government advertisements are being issued," apparently referring to the statements of separatists calling for boycott of elections in the state.
This policy clearly prohibits publication of certain objectionable material. Any newspaper violating it is required to be de-listed from the list of newspapers approved for government advertisements, the letter said.
