Lawyer booked under PSA

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 28

The Doda administration has slapped the Public Safety Act (PSA) on a renowned humanitarian activist and lawyer, Babar-ul-Islam, on the charges of fomenting trouble in the region as a part of the ongoing unrest.

Babar, who was arrested on Saturday night from Doda, was shifted to Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu late in the night. Babar’s arrest under the PSA comes after the detention of 18-year-old Rehamatullah Bhat earlier this month. Human rights organisations have condemned the PSA as it allows the government to detain a person without a trial.

A source said Babar had been booked as he had exposed lapses of the district administration.

“The Kashmir unrest and protests in Doda district have given a chance to the administration to put the Doda Bar Association member behind the bars,” said the source.

Babar, who is a lawyer, is also a renowned social activist and a humanitarian relief worker. He worked extensively during the 2014 floods to provide basic relief to the people of the Kashmir valley. For the past several years, he has also been working in his home district of Doda to provide charity to the needy and poor.

During a District Development Board meeting held at Doda some time ago, Babar protested outside the DC office against non-implementation of decisions taken for welfare of the people of the district.

His arrest has brought a sense of anger among people of Doda and has raised concern over the administration’s approach in booking people under draconian laws, like the PSA.

“This is an act of vengeance of the administration against the lawyer and an active member of the Bar Association. He had highlighted the administration’s failure which had not gone down well with it,” said Syed Asim Hashmi, president, Doda Bar Association.

“His arrest will not do any good, rather it will have a negative impact. Imposing the PSA on a lawyer has no place in a democratic set-up,” Hashmi added.

SSP Zahid Manhas said, “There were many cases registered against him and he was a part of protests held in Doda.”