Commercial establishments reopened and vehicles came back on the roads Friday as the Doda district administration announced a brief relaxation on the curbs they had imposed in the aftermath of MLA Mehraj Malik’s detention under the Public Safety Act.
The Doda administration had announced a two-hour relaxation to restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, which bans assembly of four or more people. The restrictions were briefly lifted at 4 pm.
Markets in Doda have been closed since Wednesday, when prohibitory orders were imposed following Malik’s arrest. This came after police resorted to lathi charge and used teargas after the protests Tuesday.
Meanwhile, internet services continued to remain suspended in the district, officials said, adding that they were watching the situation and will take a decision on its restoration soon.
Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar Range DIG Shridhar Patil, who had on Thursday evening held a meeting with Doda’s prominent citizens – including religious leaders — said that the situation was under control.
“Efforts are on to bring back complete normalcy. We are moving towards that,” he told media persons in Doda, adding that 60-70 people were detained and eventually released on bonds.
Malik was detained on Monday for a year under the PSA, a law that allows the administration to keep a person under preventive detention without trial, if it is satisfied that his remaining free might disturb public order and peace, or threaten security of the state.
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Malik, who was sent to Kathua jail, was named in 18 FIRs and 16 daily diary reports at different police stations in Doda district, officials said. They alleged he was increasingly causing disturbance to public order, especially at a time when the district administration was busy initiating relief measures for people hit by recent heavy rains and flash floods in far off areas of the hilly district.
Recently, a video emerged purportedly showing Malik abusing the Doda Deputy Commissioner, Harvinder Singh, over the issue of shifting a health sub-centre. While Malik alleged his recommendation in the matter was ignored, the DC claimed the MLA wanted the administration to allow the sub-centre to function in a building built by one of his supporters on state land and pay him monthly rent.
In May, police registered an FIR against him for allegedly using objectionable language for a woman doctor at Doda Government Medical College. The doctor had accused Malik of using social media platforms to issue threats and level “abusive, gendered and derogatory remarks” against her.
