Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticised the Centre on Thursday over the alleged house arrest of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Sanjay Singh in Srinagar.
Earlier in the day, the AAP MP claimed that he was all set to conduct a press conference on the arrest of MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Security Act (PSA). However, they were not being allowed to step out and had been told no reason by the administration on why they had been stopped, he added. Abdullah stated that it was “not merely a claim, but a reality.”
“Unfortunately, whenever incidents like this occur, the media refers to them as ‘alleged’ or ‘claimed.’ The fact remains that we were arrested or assaulted. Sanjay Singh was indeed placed under house arrest, and the reasons for this can only be clarified by those responsible,” the Chief Minister told reporters in Srinagar.
“On one hand, there are claims that the situation in J&K is settled, that the environment is peaceful, and that people are content. But the reality is very different. Harsh actions are being taken against us, and law and order is being misused without justification,” said the National Conference leader.
Abdullah also criticised the imposition of the PSA against Malik and his arrest under this stringent law, calling it unjustified. “I met his father and assured him of our full support. I would advise his party, AAP, to hire a lawyer from J&K who is well-versed in PSA laws, rather than bringing one from outside. I have spoken to several lawyers, and we are ready to provide all possible assistance,” he added.
Mehraj Din Malik, a first-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Jammu and Kashmir, has been arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for allegedly disturbing public order. The move, which marks the first-ever PSA detention of a sitting MLA in J&K, has triggered widespread protests and political outrage.
Malik, who represents the Doda-East constituency, was taken into custody following a Facebook Live video in which he was seen abusing and threatening the Deputy Commissioner of Doda, Mr. Harvinder Singh, over an issue related to unpaid rent to a villager by the local health department.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah slammed the arrest, calling it an “unjustified use of power” by an unelected administration. “There is no justification for detaining Mehraj Malik under the PSA. If an elected representative can be jailed like this, what faith can people have in democracy?” he posted on X.