Srinagar, Oct 23, :National Conference (NC) legislators on Thursday held a silent protest outside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, demanding the release of incarcerated Doda MLA Mehraj Malik, who has been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
The protesting lawmakers and supporters assembled outside the Assembly complex, holding placards that read “Free Mehraj Malik” and “Restore Doda’s Representation.” They maintained silence for several minutes as a mark of protest before addressing the media.
NC’s Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said that the continued detention of Malik was unjustified and deprived the people of Doda of their rightful voice in the legislative assembly. “We demand the unconditional release of Mehraj Malik. He has been elected by the people of Doda, and they deserve representation in the House. His detention under PSA is undemocratic and goes against the spirit of public mandate,” Sadiq told reporters.
The NC leader added that the party had repeatedly raised the issue with the government but received no satisfactory response. “If an elected representative is kept away from the House, it sends a wrong message about democracy in Jammu and Kashmir,” Sadiq remarked.
Mehraj Malik, a legislator from Doda, was arrested earlier this year and later booked under the Public Safety Act. His detention has sparked criticism from several quarters.
The National Conference said it would continue to press for Malik’s release until he is allowed to resume his duties as an elected representative.
