NC, Congress MLAs stage silent protest in IIOJK Assembly
Demand release of AAP MLA Meraj Malik
Srinagar: National Conference (NC) and Congress legislators held a silent protest inside the Legislative Assembly of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, demanding the release of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Meraj Malik.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the protest was conducted before the start of assembly proceedings to draw attention of the house to the issue.
NC and Congress members raised placards and observed a brief sit-in, urging the authorities to ensure Meraj Malik’s immediate release.
The placards mentioned “Respect the vote, respect the voice, free Meraj Malik”
The NC and Congress MLAs emphasized that such steps are necessary to safeguard democratic norms and the rights of elected representatives.
Later, as the proceedings of the House started, NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq and Hilal Akbar Lone raised the issue of Malik’s detention.
“Continued incarceration of an elected representative under the Public Safety Act (PSA) undermines the democratic process. People of Doda have chosen their representative. He must be allowed to take part in the Assembly proceedings and raise the issues of his constituency,” the NC MLAs said and demanded a discussion over the issue. However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather disallowed the discussion.
