NC, Cong legislators seek MLA Mehraj Malik’s release

Srinagar, Oct 23: The National Conference (NC) and Congress legislators on Thursday staged a silent protest inside the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and demanded the release of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Doda, Mehraj Malik.

Assembling outside the Assembly an hour before the proceedings of the autumn session, the legislators held placards ‘Respect the Vote, Respect the Voice, Free Mehraj Malik’ and urged the government to release the AAP MLA.

“Such steps are necessary to safeguard democratic norms and the rights of elected representatives,” the protesting MLAs said.

Later, as the proceedings of the House started, NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq and Hilal Akbar Lone raised the issue of Malik’s detention.

The MLAs sought permission from the Speaker to allow a discussion on his detention.

“Continued incarceration of an elected representative under the Public Safety Act (PSA) undermines the democratic process. People of Doda have chosen their representative. He must be allowed to take part in the Assembly proceedings and raise the issues of his constituency,” the NC MLAs said and demanded a discussion over the issue.

However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather disallowed the discussion.

The Speaker said that the session must stick with the scheduled customary homage to members and prominent leaders who passed away since the last sitting of the House.

“The legislators must reserve their concerns for an appropriate time during the proceedings,” he told the House.

Talking to reporters after the culmination of the proceedings, NC chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq said they have appealed to the government to release AAP MLA, who had been elected by the people of Doda to represent them in the House.

“This is a question of democratic rights. An elected MLA cannot serve his people when put behind bars,” Sadiq told reporters here.