Hakeem Yaseen condemns PSA on MLA Doda

Srinagar, Sep 12: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) President and former Minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, on Friday strongly condemned the slapping of the Public Safety Act (PSA) on Doda MLA Mehraj Malik. He said that PSA, which is meant to deal with criminals and anti-social elements, should never be applied to a public representative.

“No doubt, if there was any mistake or slip of the tongue while addressing a public demand, a simple FIR, complaint, or challan could have sufficed. Slapping PSA is not a solution—it only curtails democratic rights and stifles free expression.

A normal legal remedy could have saved both the MLA and the administration from the ongoing controversy,” Yaseen said. Yaseen welcomed the introduction of parcel train services from Budgam to New Delhi for ferrying apples and other Kashmiri produce to markets across India. He expressed gratitude to Government of India, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.