New Delhi: After Indian Space Research Organisation released satellite images of subsidence-hit Joshimath, the National Disaster Management Authority and the Uttarakhand government directed several state-run institutions including ISRO not to interact with the media or share information on social media on Joshimath situation without prior approval, reported PTI.
The satellite images released by ISRO on Friday showed that Joshimath sank 5.4 cm between December 27, 2022 and January 8, 2023, triggered by a possible subsidence event on January 2, fuelling concerns over the situation, even as Uttarakhand Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said on Saturday that the ISRO images have been withdrawn.
Order By NDMA
In its communication on Friday to the heads of institutions and organisations, the NDMA said that it has observed In its communication to the heads of organisations and institutes on Friday, the NDMA said it has observed that various government institutions are releasing data related to the subject on social media platforms and also they are interacting with the media with their own interpretation of the situation.
The statements on Joshimath are creating confusion not only among affected residents but also among citizens of the country, the NDMA said.
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It said people associated with them should not interact with the media and share data on social media regarding the ground subsidence in Joshimath.
The NDMA asked the organisations to sensitise its experts about the matter and added they should refrain from posting anything on media platforms until the final report of the expert group is released by the NDMA.
A similar communication was conveyed by the Uttarakhand government saying that organisations should receive prior approval before publishing or uploading any such reports.
Opposition Slams Order
After the NDMA’s alleged gag order, the Opposition targeted the Centre.
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Cahturvedi termed the directives as “gag order”.
“This is literally a gag order to not let the country know what’s happening in Joshimath, only what government wants you to know. Being the Master’s Voice,” she tweeted.
"Instead of solving the crisis and finding solutions to the problems of people, Government agencies are putting a ban on ISRO report and stopping its officials from interacting with the media. Narendra Modi ji, 'Do Not Shoot the Messenger'," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted.
AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "They make one Constitutional institution attack another. Now, National Disaster Management Authority tells ISRO to shut up." Official sources said the purpose of the advisory is not to deny information to the media but to avoid confusion because so many institutions are involved in the process and they are giving their own interpretation of the situation.