PCI to hold hearing on AR gag order

PTI NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 26 The Press Council of India will hold a hearing on December 11 on the alleged gag order issued to Nagaland media by the Assam Rifles, protesting which some newspapers in the state had recently gone without editorial. “The Press Council of India will hold oral hearing on December 11 at Guwahati on the suo-moto cognisance of the notice issued to Nagaland media by the Assam Rifles under ‘Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967’,” the PCI said in a statement. The stakeholders have been issued notices to appear and make their submission before the council on the issue, it added. The Assam Rifles has denied the charge and said it had merely requested the media to publish articles about NSCN(K), a proscribed terrorist organisation, in consonance with the Act. Naga Press Association (NPA) had extended support to the editors in protest against the alleged attempt of the Assam Rifles to suppress the freedom of media.