Srinagar, Sept 9 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that while those who “played with religious sentiments” faced no action, innocent people were being harassed.
Speaking to reporters, Omar said that the decision to impose the Public Safety Act was unjust and would undermine people’s trust in democracy.
Omar said he did not understand what crime Mehraj Malik had committed to deserve such a harsh law. “In some places, the situation got worse. In some places, there were quarrels. But here, innocent people are being harassed,” he said.
Omar said that those who disturbed the peace in Hazratbal and hurt religious sentiments faced no action, while ordinary people, including the MLA, were being targeted. “If the MLA made a mistake, it could have been corrected in the assembly under the supervision of the Speaker. Such a law should not have been imposed,” he said.
He further added that this action would erode people’s faith in democratic institutions. Recalling recent incidents, he said, “On July 13, many leaders were arrested. On July 14, even I was pushed by the police. Arresting the MLA in PSA is not a good thing. It is not good for our democracy.”(KNS)
