After large parts of Doda district erupted in anger on Tuesday against the detention of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA), the situation was finally brought under control by the district authorities on Wednesday by strictly enforcing prohibitory orders on the ground zero.
The security forces, deployed in large numbers, were seen patrolling the sensitive areas during the day. To prevent assembly of locals and fresh demonstrations, the police teams had spread concertina wires on different routes. Internet services were also slowed down to prevent any further flare-up.
All business establishments and educational institutions remained closed, and people were advised to stay indoors. The situation remained tense late Tuesday night as several hundred people participated in the ‘torchlight’ demonstration, shouting slogans against the district authorities. In Kisthwar, at least 30 youth were detained after they took part in the protests in support of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik. Protests were also held across several other places in support of the AAP MLA.
In Jammu, AAP MP Sanjay Singh participated in a protest demonstration seeking the early release of AAP MLA after he was detained under PSA.
Interacting with the media, Sanjay Singh told reporters that Malik’s detention was “illegal” and “unconstitutional.” Singh said, “The section used against terrorists has been slapped on an elected member for raising a voice for the people of his constituency. It is very wrong.” “We will fight this injustice on the streets, in Parliament, and, if necessary, in the Supreme Court,” he said while accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of targeting the AAP by employing repressive tactics.
Singh said people across Jammu and Kashmir are protesting against the detention of Mehraj Malik under the PSA.
A senior officer told The Pioneer, “Doda town and adjoining areas have been sealed and additional security personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas of the district, including Bhaderwah, Gandoh, Bhalessa, Chilli Pingal, Kahara, and Thathri,” to restore normalcy. In Srinagar, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti alleged that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik was made a scapegoat to divert attention from the Hazratbal emblem controversy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking with reporters at the party headquarters in Srinagar, the former Chief Minister said, “Religious sentiments were hurt in Hazratbal. Instead of apologising and taking action against the Waqf board and its chairperson, they have registered a case against people who expressed their anger against the desecration.”The MLA from Doda Mehraj Malik might have used harsh words or abusive language but to book an elected representative under the PSA seems to be a tactic to divert attention from the situation in Kashmir due to the Hazratbal incident,” she said.
Mehbooba said the L-G should stop the action against the people in connection with the Hazratbal incident and also release the MLA Doda.” It will be my appeal to the L-G to withdraw the FIR in the Hazratbal incident and also release MLA Doda. He might have used harsh language, but PSA or jail is not the punishment for it,” she said.