SRINAGAR, Sep 13: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday urged Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to convene a special session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to condemn the arrest of AAP’s Doda MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
In a post on X, Mufti said such a session could help pass a resolution that would pressurize the Centre to release Malik and ensure safeguards for all legislators against future targeting.
“I urge Hon’ble Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to call a special Assembly session to condemn the PSA & arrest of MLA Mehraj Malik. A resolution can put pressure on the Centre government to release Mehraj Malik & protect all MLAs from future targeting,” she wrote.
Malik, who also heads AAP’s J&K unit, was detained on Monday for allegedly disturbing public order and lodged in Kathua jail. His arrest triggered violent protests in Doda, forcing authorities to impose prohibitory restrictions and suspend mobile internet and broadband services.
Mufti stressed that while Malik can pursue his legal battle, what he requires is strong political backing from the Assembly. She also appealed to CM Omar Abdullah to extend legal aid to thousands of poor Kashmiris imprisoned across India.
“They need it the most. Mehraj can fight his legal battle, but what he needs is a strong political stand expressed through the Assembly,” the PDP president asserted.