Over a month after he was released from detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Doda, Mehraj Malik, has again locked horns with the J&K Police and administration for allegedly not allowing him to hold a ‘political tour’ across the Union Territory.
He was scheduled to start his political tour from Anantnag in Kashmir on Sunday for which he did not get permission.
In a letter to the Director General of Police, he stated, “It is pivotal for me to state that I, along with my office-bearers of various districts of Jammu and Kashmir, had explicitly applied almost a month in advance for permission from the respective offices for my ‘political tour’ across J&K.”
He stated that no written reply has been handed over to him or his district presidents by the administration. “They have rejected or denied us permission. Rather, banal and puerile arguments are being made by the police officials concerned, who have created a tumultuous state of affairs for my volunteers and party office-bearers,” Malik claimed.
He further said that he has no intention of creating any political unrest. “The sole purpose of my tour is to have a healthy public interaction with my supporters. But the inharmonious contours being created by the J&K Police bolsters the fact that my constitutional rights are under threat and my right to freedom of speech and freedom of travel within my country’s borders is being jeopardised,” he stated.
Malik had earlier raised concerns over social media when the administration had allegedly trimmed his security cover. He had shot off a letter to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha urging him to restore the security cover.
In the letter dated June 4, Malik stated that his escort vehicle has now been withdrawn. “The matter has already been brought to the notice of all authorities concerned through written communications, but no action has been taken so far. Considering the nature of my responsibilities, frequent public interactions, extensive travel and the security challenges associated with my position, the withdrawal of the escort vehicle has exposed me to considerable risk. The retention of the escort vehicle is essential for ensuring my safety and enabling me to discharge my public duties effectively,” he said.
Malik was put in detention in September last year and released on April 28 after his PSA was revoked. He was detained for allegedly disturbing public order and was subsequently lodged in Kathua jail.
