Srinagar, Sep 9 (JKNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday strongly opposed the detention of Doda MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA), saying such measures undermine democracy and hurt public confidence.
Speaking to media persons in Srinagar, Omar as per news agency JKNS said, “Tell me, what exactly has he done? Was there any stone pelting because of him? Did the situation deteriorate anywhere? On the contrary, those who actually disturbed the environment, those who played with our religious sentiments at Hazratbal, nothing has been done against them. Yet an elected MLA is being harassed, called to police stations and questioned.”
The Chief Minister added, “If the MLA has made a mistake, he can be called to the Assembly and corrected under the supervision of the Speaker. But a law like the PSA should not be applied to him. This only reduces the faith of our people in democracy.”
Omar further said, “On July 13, they made a mistake by detaining several leaders. On July 14, they made another mistake by setting the police against me. And now, detaining an MLA under PSA this is not right. At the very least, it is not good for democracy.” (JKNS)
