Hundreds hit streets in Doda demanding release of MLA Mehraj Malik; lathicharge, internet suspension follow

Doda: Hundreds of people in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Tuesday marched through the streets demanding the immediate release of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state chief and sitting MLA Mehraj Malik, who was recently detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA).

The demonstration soon turned tense, prompting police to resort to lathicharge to disperse the crowd. Authorities also suspended internet services in the region and deployed heavy armed forces to prevent the situation from escalating further.

Malik, the lone AAP legislator from Doda, was picked up by police on Monday and shifted to an undisclosed location. His detention under the stringent PSA, which permits incarceration without trial for up to two years, has sparked widespread criticism and political uproar, marking the first time in J&K that a sitting MLA has been booked under the law.

Officials said Malik was detained for allegedly disturbing public order, making derogatory remarks against doctors and bureaucrats, and interfering in flood-relief distribution in Doda. A dossier is being prepared to support the action.

Malik already faces at least 18 FIRs and 10 daily diary reports over various incidents. The latest confrontation stemmed from a protest in Thathri block over relocating a damaged government health centre to a private building. On September 5, Malik livestreamed the protest on Facebook, accusing the administration of bias and using harsh language against Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh. He and five others were booked the following day after a complaint was filed by the Block Medical Officer.

The detention has been strongly criticised by opposition leaders. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said there was no justification for booking Malik under a “discredited law,” warning that such actions undermine public faith in democracy.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh described the arrest as “dictatorship,” accusing the administration of targeting Malik for raising his voice for a hospital in his constituency.

PDP leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Para called the use of PSA the “weaponisation of draconian laws to silence dissent,” while People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone said it reflected a “soulless democracy” where even elected representatives are not allowed to voice their concerns.