Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Sept 9: The ruling National Conference (NC) today said that the Public Safety Act (PSA) is a “problematic” law that has been “misused” and continues to be misused in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters, NC’s State Spokesperson, Imran Nabi Dar said the PSA, which is invoked against terrorists and hardened criminals, should not have been slapped on a sitting MLA, terming the move “unprecedented.”
“The PSA is a problematic law. We have been saying for long that it has been misused, and even today it continues to be misused. This law, meant for terrorists and criminals, should not have been applied to a sitting legislator,” Dar said.
He demanded immediate revocation of the PSA against MLA Doda Mehraj Malik. “What happened with Malik is wrong. Slapping PSA on a sitting MLA is unprecedented, and we have demanded its revocation,” he added.
He noted that what should not have happened has been done by the “unelected Government.”
Dar stressed that while the NC does not endorse “uncouth language” by anyone, there are “normal procedures” that should have been followed.
“There has to be civility. If he has done anything wrong, there are legal processes. Unfortunately, a stringent view was taken, which is unacceptable to us. We condemn it,” he said.
The NC spokesperson also cautioned against setting a precedent that could “hinder elected representatives from working for the people.”
“We urge the relevant authorities not to set such a precedent where tomorrow elected representatives are hindered and harassed in carrying out their duties,” he said.
Dar further questioned why the same yardstick was not applied to BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa. “The grounds cited for PSA against Malik include intimidating officers. But Randhawa was also seen threatening public servants. Why not PSA against him?” he asked.
On remarks by MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, who alleged that the Assembly Secretariat had “endorsed” the PSA against Malik, Dar dismissed the claim as “a total lie.”
“Waheed Parra has tried to misinform people. The Secretariat only shared information in the form of a bulletin it had received from the Deputy Commissioner’s office, as per norms,” Dar said.
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