Srinagar, Sept 11 (TKM) : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that his government and party is ready to support MLA Doda Mehraj Malik in the legal battle following his detention under the Public Safety Act.
Speaking to reporters, Omar said that assistance will be provided to the MLA’s family and colleagues, and that appointing a lawyer familiar with the PSA framework is crucial for an effective defence.
Omar said that he met Malik’s father and assured him of full support. “I met his father and talked to him. I assured him that we are ready to give any help from our side,” he said.
He further said that the party will guide the MLA’s associates on the best approach. “My advice to the Aam Aadmi Party and their colleagues will be that they should not bring a lawyer from abroad. They should take a lawyer from here who knows the law of PSA. If needed, we are ready to give any help,” he added.
Recalling his own experience, Abdullah said that he had faced a similar situation in 2020. “In 2020, when the PSA case was filed against me, I fought that battle in the Supreme Court by appointing a good lawyer from here. We are ready to help in any way,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said that understanding the PSA is essential for anyone involved in the case. “PSA law is not applicable anywhere else in this country. If you bring a lawyer from abroad, it will take time for him to understand this law. We are ready to help. Some lawyers are ready to fight this case. It is better that they appoint a lawyer who knows this law,” he further said.
He added that authorities should consider how such actions are perceived by the public. “This is not right. The message that will go to the people is very wrong. Those who are doing this should think about their actions,” he said.
Abdullah said that using the PSA against a sitting MLA is improper and undermines democratic procedures. “If someone has a complaint about their behaviour, you can raise it with the Assembly Secretariat or talk to the Speaker about it. But using PSA against an MLA is wrong,” he said.
The Chief Minister rejected claims that the detention of Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was being exaggerated. “You ask questions as if Sanjay Singh is lying. This is not his claim, this is the reality,” he said. “On July 13, we did not claim that we were locked up. We were kept locked up. This is the reality,” he further said, adding that singh is still being detained. “Only those who are behind this decision can explain the reason,” he added.
Omar also said that it is said that everything is fine in J&K, the environment is good, people are happy, and everything is becoming a new J&K. But the reality is that whenever you look at it, these people do nothing other than being strict.”
On being asked about the recent launch of two railway parcel vans for transporting apples from Budgam to Delhi, Abdullah said that his government had been working behind the scenes. “I am not one of those who highlight these things repeatedly in the media. I was in contact with the Railway Minister in private, and my Secretariat officers were in constant touch. Today it is possible that two rakes are being used for cargo,” he said.
He added that while road transport should continue where needed, rail cargo services should be expanded. “We would like these refrigerated container trains to run continuously, so that our fruits and other essential goods can be sent out by rail,” he added.(TKM)
