New Delhi:The Indian Women’s Press Corps(IWPC) on Monday reacted strongly to the Press Council of India (PCI) action seeking intervention in a writ petition filed by Kashmir Times executive editor Anuradha Bhasin in the Supreme Court against curbs on media in Kashmir.

”The PCI’s intervention is an abdication of its responsibilities and against the very purpose for which the body was set up,” IWPC said in a statement here.

PCI chairman Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad in his application to the Supreme Court on August 24 had said “The rights of the journalists/media for free and fair reporting are on the one hand and national interest of integrity and sovereignty on the other. Hence the applicant is of opinion that it should present its views before this court and assist the court in deciding the instant writ petition justly in the interest of the freedom of the press as well as in the national interest.”

Condemining the PCI action, the women journalist body said the council founded by an act of Parliament was meant to uphold press freedom and improve standards of journalism, but it had acted in a manner that defeats that very purpose.

The Kashmir Times Executive Editor’s has moved the apex court seeking relaxation in media movement and free reporting amid the security curbs and communication shut down in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5.

The IWPC also condemned the continuing restrictions on the media in Jammu & Kashmir, which prevents it from carrying out its duties. ”The rough handling of the media covering the Opposition delegation to Srinagar on Saturday is especially deplored,”