Onlykashmir.in News DEsk
Aam Aadmi Party’s lone assembly member from Doda, Mehraj Malik, was arrested on Monday and placed under house arrest under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), the first time in Jammu and Kashmir that a sitting MLA has been detained under the law.
Malik had defeated BJP candidate Gaji Singh Rana by 4,538 votes in the assembly elections last year and had initially supported Omar Abdullah during government formation.
According to an order issued by District Magistrate Doda Harvinder Singh, Mehraj Malik was placed under house arrest under PSA 1978 on the grounds that his activities were “prejudicial to public order”. According to the administration, “continuation of such activities posed a serious threat to peace, order and tranquility”, hence the detention was deemed necessary.
Various political leaders reacted strongly to the arrest.
further said that the Assembly Secretariat merely informed the members of the Assembly about the arrest/detention of Mehraj Malik while discharging its duty under Rule 260 of the Rules of Procedure.
The clarification also stated that as per Rule 260, the Speaker has to read out the information regarding the arrest or detention of a member in the House (if the House is in session) and in case the House is not in session, it is informed to the members through a bulletin. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s response
There is no justification for detaining Mehraj Malik under PSA. He is not a threat to public safety and his arrest using this controversial law is completely wrong. If an unelected government can use its powers against an elected representative in this way, then how can anyone expect the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain faith in democracy?
Statement by Aam Aadmi Party founder Arvind Kejriwal
“Is demanding a hospital for the people of your constituency such a big crime that an elected MLA should be put in jail for it?”
Aam Aadmi Party Jammu and Kashmir has strongly condemned the arrest of its state president and MLA Doda, Mehraj Malik. The party alleged that preparations are being made to register an FIR against him and impose PSA, which is an attempt to suppress the public voice.
Party spokesperson Mudassar Hassan said in a press conference that this undemocratic move is against public sentiments. He demanded that the administration immediately withdraw the FIR, release Mehraj Malik and stop intimidating leaders who raise public issues.
