Authorities suspended mobile internet and broadband services in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Doda district on September 9, after massive protests and clashes broke out over the arrest of local Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mehraj Malik.
Notably, J&K’s Home Department hasn’t published any order regarding the internet restrictions in the district, according to The Wire. This is despite the Supreme Court (SC) mandating the official publication of such orders for legal review.
Apart from the internet shutdown, board exams across J&K were postponed in light of the upheaval in Doda district.
For context, Malik had a tiff with Doda’s District Magistrate (DM), allegedly using abusive and unparliamentary language against the DM regarding non-payment of rent to a village dweller.
Following this, Malik was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA), with DM Harvinder Singh remarking that his activities posed a “grave threat to public order.” To explain, the PSA is a preventive detention law specifically for J&K.
Under this Act, law enforcement authorities can imprison a person for up to two years without trial. The only means to challenge such detention is if relatives of the detainee file a petition in the J&K High Court (HC) or the Supreme Court.
Malik is currently in Kathua jail, and is the first sitting MLA who faces PSA in the northern Indian state.
What Is Happening In Doda District?
As per an order issued by Doda’s Additional District Magistrate, the assembly of four or more persons is prohibited within the district. Additionally, no individual can deliver provocative speeches, slogans, or gestures that may disrupt peace and communal harmony.
Furthermore, the district administration has prohibited the carrying of lathis or sharp-edged weapons in public places.
Meanwhile, Malik’s family met with J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who called the arrest unjustified.
“The Chief Minister reiterated that the use of PSA against the Hon’ble MLA is completely unjustified and a blatant misuse of the powers of preventive detention,” read a tweet from the J&K CM’s Office.
The Doda administration handed over Malik’s PSA dossier to his lawyers on September 9. AAP’s J&K spokesman, Mudasir Hassan, expressly rejected the allegations leveled against the MLA, adding that the party would challenge Malik’s arrest in the J&K High Court.
Veil Of Fog Around Internet Shutdowns In J&K?
The J&K Home Department did not publish any order about the internet suspension in Doda. This ties into a broader…
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