Svobodna Dnevnik

[Hadash]

El Correo Internacional

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New Galasia stops Rojadavi newspapers from printing amid social unrest
By: Asia Galianus
Published: Treizen 1579


Alsace government remains confident in defeating the eastern armed revolt.

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Alsace, New Galasia | Authorities in New Galasia have shut down printing presses and temporarily banned newspapers in Rojadavi language from publishing in the eastern region of Eastmarch, in a sweeping information blackout after days of anti-Galasian revolts left about two thousands of people dead in the volatile region. The rebellion, led by the self-proclaimed "Provisional Council for the National Resistance" have taken control of several cities, which the Galasian military aims to retake after an intense campaign of air bombing.

State government spokesman Julius Primus said that measures were aimed at saving lives and strengthening law and order. The government says 1.187 have been killed in clashes between "terrorist forces" and security forces, while local human rights groups and newspapers say that more than two thousands have died.

A state of emergency and strict curfew has been in effect in the region of Eastmarch, with hundreds of thousands of people trying to cope with shortages of food and other necessities. Tens of thousands of government troops patrolled the mostly deserted streets in Eastmarch, where shops and business remained closed. Ten days before, a terrorist attack by Akhadist militants killed more than two hundred people in Eastmarch Cathedral, which suffered severe damage.

Eastmarch, a predominantly Akhadic region, has belonged to the Kingdom of New Galasia for centuries, but demands of more autonomy and independence increased in recent years. Many ethnic Rojadavi -largest ethnic group in the eastern region- want the independence, something that both the Alsace government and ethnic Galasians in the eastern region oppose.

The largest street protests in recent years in the eastern region erupted last Elva after the Akhadic Grand Kuzhe was killed, leading to riots and turning into a military conflict after local officers opposed to the crackdown and even, in some cases, joined the protesters. However, the New Galasian government declares that the claims of "civil war" in the eastern region are exaggerated.

Information has been limited, with most celllar and internet services, as well as landline phone access, not working in the trouble areas, except for Eastmarch and Nova Tarial, the largest city in the eastern region.

Police began raiding newspaper officers in Eastermarch and seizing tens of thousands of local newspapers yesterday, imposing a ban on their printing. They also detained scores of printing press workers. Newspaper editors denounced the government action and accused Alsace government of "imposing a dictatorship in the region".

Editors and journalist held a protest march in Claeterne, carrying placards reading "Stop censorship" and "Freedom of speech", before the march was stopped by Galasian police.

In the latest fatality outside the war zones late Friday, government forces fired bullets at villagers who threw stones and them and tried to torch a police station in a remote village in the northwestern Eastmarch area, close to the Angirisian border, a police official said.

Six young villagers were allegedly killed and at least five other people were wounded in the firing, according to a local human rights group.

Authorities extended the Winter break for schools and colleges for two months month, until Alvan 4.