He accused the authorities of misusing a law meant to deal with terrorists against an elected representative, terming the move an attack on democratic rights.
File Photo
Amid an uneasy calm in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir where prohibitory orders have been imposed after yesterday’s protests against the detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik, his fellow party member Sanjay Singh on Wednesday strongly condemned the action under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), calling it “illegal” and “unconstitutional”.
He accused the authorities of misusing a law meant to deal with terrorists against an elected representative, terming the move an attack on democratic rights.
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The shutdown against Malik’s detention today spread to the Bhaderwah town where shops remained closed. However, no protest demonstrations were reported from the district.
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Sanjay Singh, who reached Jammu this morning, told media-persons that the AAP would launch a multi-pronged fight against Malik’s detention.
“It is unconstitutional to slap the Public Safety Act on AAP’s Doda MLA, Mehraj Malik. This is the government’s anti-people mindset, a man was asking for a hospital and you slapped the PSA on him,” Singh said.
He added that the party would take the matter to the streets, Parliament and, if needed, to the Supreme Court. He alleged that the “BJP and Prime Minister Modi are always after AAP. That is what is happening with us. We will take up this matter strongly,” he said.
“They have previously jailed Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satyendra Jain, and even me. Today, Mehraj Malik has been imprisoned,” he said.
Malik, who is also the president of the J&K unit of AAP, was detained on Monday under the stringent PSA for allegedly disturbing public order in Doda district and was subsequently lodged in Kathua district jail.
“This is illegal and unconstitutional. It is an attempt to muzzle the voice of an elected member. Slapping PSA is hundred percent wrong,” Singh said. AAP leader Imran Hussain accompanied Singh.
The AAP leader said they are in Jammu to meet the party activists and strategise the next steps in their protest against “political victimisation”.
Meanwhile, the 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,” officials said.
All business establishments and educational institutions have been closed, and people have been advised to stay indoors.
Additional District Magistrate Doda, Anil Kumar Thakur, issued an order stating that the assembly of four or more persons is prohibited across the district until further orders.
The order further directs that no individual shall deliver provocative speeches, raise slogans, or display gestures that may disrupt peace and communal harmony. Carrying lathis or sharp-edged weapons in public has also been banned.
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