Srinagar: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar Friday said that district SSPs have been directed to brief media persons about encounters and that the media persons are once again advised not to inch closer to gunfight sites as that poses threat to their lives.

He said that if media persons go closer to the operation sites, it may hamper operations and the live coverage of encounters may trigger law and order situation in other areas.

Replying to a query at PCR Srinagar whether injury to the three civilians can be reported by the media, the IGP said: “I reiterate that no live coverage of encounters will be allowed. A stray bullet can hit any media men if you go closer to the operation site. Covering live encounters can pose threat to the journalists.”

Kumar said that live coverage of encounters can instigate people in other adjoining areas of the operational site and lead to law and order situation.

“I have directed district SSPs to brief media men about encounter updates in their respective areas whenever there is any encounter,” he said. KNO

KR Desk