Cable operator in J

Monday, May 15, 2006

Srinagar (UNI): Three days after remaining off air, news and entertainment channels are back on TV screens in Kashmir after cable operators resumed services on a ''trial basis'' this evening following assurances by various militant and separatist outfits. However, the cable operators have stopped airing AXN, Star Movies, Star World and Reality TV channels to comply with the directions of the militant organisations.

''We have resumed the services on trial basis after assurances by the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Harkat-ul-Mujaideen militant outfits. They had asked us to resume the services and we have accordingly done so,'' a cable operator told UNI. ''As per the directions of the militant groups, we have stopped beaming channels such as AXN, Star Movies, Star World and Reality TV. These had been described as obscene channels,'' he added.

The operator said the services have been resumed on ''trial basis'' and they would ''wait and watch'' to see the reaction from the militant outfits. ''Now, we will see if the militant groups wanted the ban only on these four channels or the entire cable network across the Kashmir valley,'' he added.

In developments, two more militant organisations asked them to air news and entertainment channels. In a telephonic statement to a local news agency, Al Arifeen and Kashmir Freedom Force (KFM) militant outfits have asked the cable operators to resume their services. A spokesman of the Al Arifeen outfit supported the stand taken by the Hizbul Mujahiddeen and the Dukhtaran-e-Millat on the cable network. He asked the cable operators to start their services immediately.

A KFM spokesman also asked the cable operators to restore their services ''on the condition that they will black-out all obscene channels''. Three days after remaining off air, news and entertainment channels are back on the TV screens in Kashmir after cable operators resumed services on ''trial basis'' last evening following assurances by various militant and separatist outfits.

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