Srinagar, Sep 9: J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that invoking the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) against Doda MLA Mehraj Malik, while taking no action against those accused of “hurting people’s sentiments” at Hazratbal shrine, is “not good for democracy.”
Omar said he failed to understand what Malik had done that warranted the government’s decision to invoke the stringent PSA against him.
“Has the situation deteriorated anywhere? Was there any stone-pelting? On the contrary, the people who spoilt the environment here, the people who played with our religious sentiments and spoilt the environment in Hazratbal—there is nothing against them. Instead, innocent people are being harassed here. They are being called to police stations and questioned,” Omar told reporters in Srinagar.
The Chief Minister said if the MLA had made a mistake, it could be rectified under the supervision of the Speaker.
“A law like the PSA should not have been invoked against him. This will reduce the public trust in democracy,” Omar said.
Referring to incidents earlier this year, Omar said on July 13, the martyrs’ day, the administration made a mistake and detained many leaders.
“On July 14, they made another mistake. They got me heckled by the police. After that, arresting the MLA in the PSA is not a good thing. It is not a good thing for our democracy,” Omar said.
When asked about the election for 17th Vice-President, the Chief Minister questioned the Election Commission of India for keeping four seats of J&K in Rajya Sabha vacant and thereby denying the union territory its rightful representation.
“Our votes are already less, I don’t understand. It’s been nearly 11 months since our assembly elections. Why are the seats of our Rajya Sabha empty today? If we had four more votes, our voice would have been stronger. We would have been able to speak,” Omar said.
“I don’t understand why the Centre and Election Commission is taking revenge on us that our Rajya Sabha elections are not taking place,” he added.
On the recent floods, Omar said he expects Jammu and Kashmir to be compensated for the losses suffered.
He further requested the union Railways Minister to run special trains to ensure movement of essential goods to Kashmir and transport fruit produce outside.
