Tensions Ease in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda After AAP MLA Arrest
In the hilly town of Bhalessa in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, authorities have kept a strict prohibitory order in place under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). This comes after the arrest of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under the tough Public Safety Act (PSA). The move aims to control protests that erupted following his detention for actions seen as harmful to public order.
Protests kicked off right after Malik’s arrest, leading the local administration to impose these curbs. But on Thursday, they offered some relief—a two-hour window for people to shop for essentials like food and groceries. Locals had pushed hard for this break, reaching out to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) about their daily struggles.
Rishi Kumar Kaushal, a local social worker, shared his story with . “Our roads are badly damaged, making it tough to get basics like flour and rice,” he said. “We told the SDM about it, and they listened—they even opened up the market for us.” Kaushal added that folks are now asking for more: other shops to reopen, plus mobile and internet services to come back online. “We’re hoping things return to normal soon, especially with festivals and yatras coming up. Everyone, please stay calm and peaceful,” he urged.
Abdul Majeed, block president of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), thanked the administration for the quick response. “We talked about key issues like telecom, ration supplies, electricity, water, and fixing roads,” he explained. “They gave us this relaxation, and we’re grateful. We hope for more in the coming days to help everyone.”
Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sridhar Patil said the team is focused on bringing back normalcy. “We held a meeting with Doda residents to keep peace alive,” Patil told . “After in-depth talks, we’re making good progress on solving their concerns and restoring calm.”
But the situation hasn’t been entirely smooth. Patil reported some stone-pelting incidents in parts of Doda, forcing police to use tear gas to prevent bigger trouble. “We managed to stop any major harm,” he said. Early Friday morning, around 10:30 to 11:00 AM, locals heard an explosion-like sound, and it’s now under investigation. “Two people are being questioned, and we’ll act based on what we find,” Patil added. He praised the community for staying united. “A big thanks to Doda’s people for backing us and keeping communal harmony strong.”
The arrest of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978, has kept tensions high in Doda since it happened. As the region works toward peace, locals hope for quicker resolutions to everyday challenges like damaged roads, limited supplies, and disrupted telecom services in Jammu and Kashmir.
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