The writing on the Kashmiri newspaper wall

While the Dalit agitation in Gujarat and the Monsoon Session of Parliament took over newspapers in Delhi, Kashmir retreated to the the inside pages of national dailies. In the Valley, newspapers resumed publication after almost four days. The state government had imposed a ban on Saturday, which it lifted on Tuesday. However, the editors of local publications refused to resume work until the safety of their reporters was ensured. Yesterday, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met the editors of Srinagar-based newspapers. She reportedly offered an apology and reiterated her commitment to “independence of media at all costs”.  

Consequently, the newspapers are back in the Valley, and their headlines tell a severe story.

Greater Kashmir’s flyer, “No gag is civilized”, is a scathing letter to the state for “muzzling the voice of the voiceless”. The lead story tells us that the death toll has risen to 44 people in 12 days.

Page 8 is dedicated to pictures from across the valley: funerals, curfews and moments of solidarity.

Rising Kashmir’s lead story informs us that the summer of 2016 is already the worst for Kashmir. It puts the number of people killed in the recent violence at 48, which is four more than Greater Kashmir‘s count. Pellet injuries and the story of a 15-year-old Insha Malik being blinded, despite not taking part in protests, are anchor stories. Pakistan observing Black Day in solidarity with Kashmir is also given front-page space across dailies.

Kashmir Reader’s lead story informs us that the valley observed Black Day yesterday in “response to a call issued by pro-freedom leaders”. The report also says that locals in Gurez Valley raised slogans against Zee News for “biased reportage intended to trigger violence amongst local communities”.  Its anchor story is about a defenceless girl who was allegedly shot dead by police forces.

Kashmir Monitor with a front-page opinion piece states that since the death of Burhan Wani, the state government’s decisions seemed to have been “designed to further aggravate the anger on the streets”. It has a story on how tourism has taken a back seat in the Valley.

In its opinion page, the lead piece says “the feeling of humanity” is missing at the South Block.