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News Topical, Digital Desk : Shamsuddin Malik, father of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik, who was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, has appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He has said that he cannot continue the fight in the courts and wants his son released. Government critic Mehraj Malik was arrested on Monday (08 September) on charges of disturbing public peace and sent to Kathua jail.
The Public Safety Act under which Malik has been arrested is generally used against militants and separatists and its imposition against an elected public representative has triggered political uproar in Jammu and Kashmir.
More than 70 people detained after protest in Doda
Massive protests took place in Doda following which the administration imposed prohibitory orders and more than 70 people have been arrested so far in the violent clashes between the protesters and security forces. Eight policemen, including a DSP and a station in-charge, were injured in these violent clashes that started on Tuesday.
I now want my son back- Shamsuddin Malik
After meeting the Chief Minister on Tuesday, Shamsuddin said, "I had given my son to the people, now I want him back. I met the Chief Minister, who listened to us and said that he will see what he can do. I told him that I do not want to go to the courts again and again. I requested him to talk to the Lieutenant Governor and get my son released. Let him investigate this."
'MLA's arrest under PSA is due to personal enmity'
He further said, "It is a long process in the court. Will he take care of his four daughters or run around the courts? His mother is crying. He has four daughters, they are all crying." He called the MLA's arrest under the PSA a result of "personal enmity". Shamsuddin said, "The Deputy Commissioner (DC) knows it better. Several sections of the PSA have been imposed on my son because of the DC. They were fighting with each other over people's issues. The DC made it a personal enmity. He should be suspended and my son should be released."
'Some people instigated the action'
Mehraj Malik's father also said, "It was a personal conflict between Mehraj and the DC over public issues, but some people instigated the administration to take strict action against them. When an old woman started crying in front of Mehraj, he got angry and when a person is angry, he can do anything. They (DC and MLA) were fighting, but a section of people made it an issue, which resulted in this action."
Allegations of hurting Sikh sentiments rejected
Shamsuddin also rejected the allegations of hurting Sikh sentiments. He said, "Just ask the Sikhs in Gajansu Marh in Jammu where he worked for years. He always had good relations with Sikh officials. My son grew up among Sikhs and studied with them. Our neighbours are Sikhs. It is wrong to accuse him of such a thing."
He also said that AAP leader Sanjay Singh came to Jammu on Wednesday and I requested him to take action in this regard. He said, "I am not interested in the party, I only want my son." MLA Mehraj Malik, who represents Doda assembly constituency, was detained under PSA on Monday.
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