Doda simmers as supporters protest lone AAP legislator Malik’s detention

Tension gripped Doda district on Tuesday, a day after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA), as protests erupted in several areas in support of the legislator and against the district administration.

The administration imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS)—the equivalent of the now-repealed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)—and police made public announcements urging protesters to disperse following the imposition of prohibitory orders.

Security forces lobbed tear gas shells to stop a rally of Malik’s supporters in one part of the district, and baton charges were carried out in some areas to disperse crowds that had gathered at multiple locations.

Local journalists reported that internet speeds were significantly reduced, hampering their ability to upload photos and videos of the protest. However, district officials denied any deliberate throttling, attributing slow internet speeds to infrastructure damage caused by recent heavy rains.

Mehraj Malik was detained on Monday and transported to Kathua district jail later in the evening. As the police convoy carrying him arrived at the jail, AAP workers gathered outside and held a protest, which was quickly dispersed by the local police.

Malik was initially booked on Sunday following allegations that he had forcibly seized medicines and equipment from a government health centre. He later came under fire for allegedly using unparliamentary language against Doda Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh. The PSA was slapped on him the next day, and he was detained publicly.

Protesters in Doda demanded Malik’s immediate release, emphasising that he is an elected public representative. Several political parties have expressed solidarity with Malik and called for his release.

Chanting slogans in support of the MLA, hundreds of his supporters took out a march from Bhatyas village towards Doda town. Another group held a demonstration near the Clock Tower in Doda town but was dispersed by police.

Security checkpoints were established at multiple locations, including Gandoh, Bhalessa, Chilli Pingal, Kahara, and Thathri, as well as in Doda town, where tensions remained high. Police have been deployed in large numbers across the district to closely monitor the situation.

Meanwhile, AAP workers also held protest demonstrations in Jammu, Rajouri, and Poonch, demanding the release of Mehraj Malik, who also serves as the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit chief. His father and other family members also met CM Omar Abdullah over the issue.

Ailing kid dies after vehicle stuck in traffic

Jammu: A two-year-old girl suffering from pneumonia, who was being taken to a hospital by her family, died after their vehicle was caught in a traffic jam during protests on Tuesday against the detention of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik under the stringent Public Safety Act, officials said.

They said an investigation has started into the incident after the girl’s father claimed that they were not allowed to pass by the deployed cops despite repeated requests.

The child, who was referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Doda from Primary health centre Thathri, breathed her last after her vehicle was stuck in a traffic jam at Pul Doda near the town despite efforts by police to clear the way for the vehicle carrying the patient, the officials said.

Traffic was stopped at Pul Doda in view of day-long protests by Malik’s supporters at the clock tower in the town, the officials said, adding police cleared the clock tower of these people several times during the day using mild lathicharge but the protesters dodged the cops and continued their stir.