In a development that is likely to affect cable television viewership in Kashmir, the Union Ministry for Information and Broadcasting (I&B), Vikram Sahay on Sunday directed the cable operators to block all television channels from several Muslim countries including Turkey and Iran.
Sahay arrived here Sunday afternoon and interacted with the cable operators.
Talking to newsmen, the operators said they were told in strong words to block the channels from Turkey, Malasiya and Iran.
The operators, they said, have also been told to adhere to the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act-1995.
Expressing surprise over mention of Malaysian channel, the operators said no such channel is aired in Kashmir.
When told a channel from Iran was aired for the Shia population of Kashmir and was purely a religious channel, the official said as per central regulations, it must be clocked. He also directed the operators to block the Al Arabia Channel.
The official laughed when operators told him the people watched debates on Indian channels for entertainment and amusement.
Pertinently the cable network was also suspended following revocation of article 35 A and amendment to Article 370 of the Indian constitution that conferred special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The cable operators however resumed the operations by August 20.
The cable operators sought resumption of internet services which they said had adversely affected their business.
"The official told us that he will take up the matter with the ministry after holding deliberations with the authorities from the local government," said the cable operator.
The official told the cable operator to submit the list of the channels they intend to air and the ministry will take a final call on the issue.