Doda on edge as administration braces for Friday prayers amid tensions

Amid continued restrictions in Doda district following detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA), the administration has made preparations for Friday, keeping in view the expected gathering for prayers by hundreds of members of the Muslim community.

The prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS (earlier section 144 of the CrPC) remained in force in the district to curb any kind of vandalism and violent protests by supporters of Mehraj Malik, who was sent to the Kathua district jail on Monday, after which the area witnessed tear gas shelling and baton charging by police on protesters in some areas.

A meeting of religious leaders and prominent citizens with the administration was held in which they were urged to maintain peace as restrictions on movement of the people were unlikely to be removed on Friday. There is an unsettling peace in Doda after the arrest of the popular leader and sole AAP MLA in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

An official on condition of anonymity said, “Hundreds of people generally come out for Friday prayers that could become a threat during this time when sentiments are running high. To maintain peace in the region, the restrictions will continue. Religious leaders have been urged to ask people, especially the youth to remain calm.”

Arrangements have been made to deploy additional forces in the district specifically in Doda town, Gandoh, Bhalessa and the Thathri area that are considered sensitive. Policemen were seen patrolling streets, while concertina wires were deployed on roads in many parts of the district.

Schools that were shut after recent heavy rains remained closed in Doda district due to protest demonstrations and tension. While talking to mediapersons, Mehraj’s father Shamas Din Malik, urged the authorities concerned to release him. “I want my son back. I met Chief Minister who said he would see what he could do,” he said.

In a post on X, PDP chief, Mehbooba Mufti said, “News from Doda is deeply disturbing. An Internet blackout has been imposed. Schools have been shut and a curfew enforced. Alarming reports suggest that roads are being deliberately blocked depriving people of their fundamental right to movement. This heavy-handed bureaucratic response is not just authoritarian as it strikes at the very core of democratic values.” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah must urgently visit Doda to assess the ground situation first hand and take immediate steps to provide relief to the people, she said.

Man thrashes wife in Doda, video goes viral

An incident in Doda in which a woman was thrashed by her husband came live on a social media platform supporting Mehraj. Fatima, a social activist, was live streaming on social media when she was interrupted and abused by her husband. He manhandled her and also tried to snatch her mobile phone on which she was making a video. She was forced to end her video midway after repeated attempts by her husband to snatch the cellphone. It is learnt that the police questioned both husband and wife regarding the issue as the video went viral on social media in J&K and elsewhere.