AAP MLA’s Detention: Additional deployments made in Doda, parts of Kishtwar
Jammu, Sep 10: Strict prohibitory restrictions Wednesday remained enforced, amid apprehension of “breach of peace and law and order”, in Doda district, which witnessed a flurry of protest demonstrations on Tuesday against the detention of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik under Public Safety Act (PSA).
Additional deployment of forces was made all across Doda, including Gandoh, Thathri, and Bhalessa.
The authorities had already suspended mobile data services (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, public and private wifi) temporarily in the district on September 9 besides enforcing a prohibitory order.
In several areas of the neighbouring district Kishtwar, including Kishtwar town, Chatroo, and Padder also, additional forces were deployed. Mobile data services also remained disrupted there.
AAP supporters tried to hold protests at scattered places in Doda and Kishtwar yet the situation remained under control amid strictly enforced restrictions.
Prohibitory order under section 163 BNSS in Doda was issued by Anil Kumar Thakur, Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Doda, on behalf of the District Magistrate on Tuesday after the district witnessed sporadic protests, including clashes between the Police and AAP supporters, leading to injuries to around eight police personnel. Police even used mild force to contain the protests.
“In view of the prevailing situation, there is apprehension that incidents regarding breach of peace, tranquility, and law and order may occur in district Doda by way of mobilizing unlawful assemblies of the public. It is expedient to take precautionary measures for safeguarding the life and property of citizens within the territorial jurisdiction of district Doda,” Thakur said in the order.
As per the restrictions, the assembly of four or more persons will be prohibited in the entire territorial jurisdiction of district Doda till further orders.
“No person shall be allowed to resort to provocative speeches, slogans, gestures which may disrupt peace and harmony, and no person is allowed to move with lathies or sharp-edged weapons,” it was ordered.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, was asked to ensure implementation of the order in letter and spirit.
“Any violation of this order shall invite punitive action under the relevant sections of law,” Thakur warned.
Simultaneously, the IGP, Jammu zone, Jammu being the authorized officer under sub rule (i) of Rule 3 of Temporary Suspension of Telecommunication Service Rules, 2024, issued directions to the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to suspend mobile data services temporarily (2G/3G/4G/5G/public and private wifi) in district Doda of Jammu province with effect from September 9, 2025 from 1 am to 11.59 pm. They remain suspended on Wednesday as well.
IGP Jammu, in his letter to J&K Home Department, mentioned that mobile data services were likely to be misused by anti-national elements and miscreants, which might cause deterioration in public order.
“Upon consideration of the various aspects, as brought out in the material provided by the Authorized Officer, I, being satisfied that there was an absolute necessity for issuance of the directions by the Authorized Officer (IGP Jammu), without obtaining prior approval of the competent authority, in the interest of maintaining public order and for preventing incitement to the commission of any offence, hereby confirm Order No 1246(TSTS) of 2025 dated September 9, 2025, under endorsement No. JZ/CS/Snap-down/2025/1247-48 dated September 9, 2025, issued by the authorized officer…,” Principal Secretary Home, Chadraker Bharti stated in the order confirming temporary suspension of telecom services.
MLA from Doda East and AAP’s J&K president Mehraj Malik was arrested under PSA on September 8, 2025, by the Police in Doda under the Public Safety Act (PSA), for “activities being prejudicial to the maintenance of public order.” He was later shifted to Kathua jail.
Since then, different parts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri and Reasi witnessed protests by AAP workers and supporters, seeking quashing of the PSA.
In Jammu today, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, along with his party colleague Imran Hussain, reached Jammu. Singh led the AAP workers’ protest in the winter capital city.
Taking exception to AAP MLA’s arrest under PSA, Sanjay Singh also sought the immediate release of Malik. “This is an unconstitutional step against an elected MLA. He (Malik) wanted a hospital for the poor people of his constituency, and they gave him the PSA. His arrest is part of a larger conspiracy of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP (NDA) government. Earlier, they arrested AAP’s top leadership, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satender Jain, and me. But they failed to silence us. We will protest on the streets, in the Parliament, and in the court as well,” Singh said.
In a related development, J&K Board of Secondary Examination postponed the class 10 and 11 exams scheduled for September 10, 2025, across J&K and Ladakh, in view of law and order disturbances in Doda district on public movement and transport.
