Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said any mistake by Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Doda, Mehraj Malik could have been addressed in the Assembly and there was no need to arrest him under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
Talking to reporters, CM Omar Abdullah, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said, “What did Malik do to warrant PSA? “If he had made a mistake, it could have been rectified in the Assembly under the supervision of the Speaker. He should not have been booked under PSA.”
He said there was no law and order problem in Doda, no stone pelting was witnessed, no riots took place, yet the MLA was booked under PSA. “This is unjust and would undermine trust in democracy,” he said.
Omar also alleged that while people are being summoned to police stations and questioned, no action is being taken against those who played with religious sentiments and disturbed the atmosphere in Hazratbal.
The Chief Minister said that on July 13, many leaders were arrested, and on July 14, when he visited the graveyard, he was pushed by the police.
Later, the CM wrote on X that Mehraj Malik’s father met him and he (CM Omar) has assured him of all the possible help.
PROTESTS BREAK OUT IN DODA
Meanwhile, protests were reported from several areas of Doda district and Jammu with people demanding Malik’s early release.
Witnesses told KNO that people in Doda town and adjoining areas gathered in large numbers, raising slogans and holding placards in favour of Malik.
Some shops in the main market remained closed as a mark of protest. Roads leading to Malik’s constituency also witnessed protest marches, with residents alleging that detaining an elected representative through a preventive law undermined their mandate.
Malik, who represents the Doda-52 constituency, was arrested on Monday after an order was issued by District Magistrate Doda citing activities “prejudicial to public order.”
Officials said the legislator was detained under provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978. This is the first known instance of a sitting MLA in Jammu and Kashmir being held under the law.
The detention has sparked strong reactions across political circles, with several parties questioning the use of the PSA against an elected representative. However, officials maintained that the step was taken to prevent a law-and-order situation in the district.
Despite restrictions and heavy deployment of security forces, thousands of protesters assembled at the clock tower in Doda town near the DC office.
People raised slogans against the district administration and in favour of the MLA to demand his early release.
Earlier, police resorted to cane charging on protestors as soon as they assembled at the clock tower. However, the protestors didn’t leave and stayed at the spot peacefully.
However, due to the closure of all roads leading to district headquarters Doda, a two-month-old girl, Umaisa, daughter of Adil Hussain, a resident of Gundoh died when an ambulance was not allowed to cross a bridge over river Chenab in Pul Doda and reach the Associated Hospital Doda.
In this regard, police have taken cognisance and registered a formal case.
A massive protest was held in Malik’s home town of Malikpura and Kahra areas. Violent protests erupted in Kahra, causing injuries to some policemen during the clashes.
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters said they had gathered in support of the MLA and will not leave the area till he is released.
In Kahra area of Gandoh, people also came out to protest against Malik’s arrest under PSA and they had an altercation with police as well, which later resulted in the stone pelting incident, causing injuries to a few policemen.
Tight security was put in place in Doda today and to keep an eye on the security situation, Deputy Inspector General of Police Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range, Shridhar Patil reached district headquarters Doda and held a meeting with police officers to review the situation.
To avoid assembly of people, the district administration Doda had also imposed Section 163 of BNS, but still, people didn’t care and continued their protest.
Similar protests were seen in almost across Jammu division by AAP supporters—(KNO)
