*Child dies after ambulance stuck in Doda blockade
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 9: Protests intensified in Jammu and Kashmir today following the detention of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Mehraj Malik under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).
Officials said that heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel was made in Doda town after Malik, president of AAP’s J&K unit and MLA from Doda, was arrested on Monday for allegedly disturbing public order and lodged in Kathua jail. His supporters took to the streets in large numbers, raising slogans and blocking roads.
The protests at Pul Doda took a tragic turn when a two-year-old girl, suffering from pneumonia, died en route to Government Medical College (GMC) Doda. Her vehicle, referred from the Primary Health Centre Thathri, got trapped in the traffic blockade. Despite efforts by the police to clear the way, the family alleged they were repeatedly denied passage by the cops deployed on the road. The incident has sparked outrage, with officials confirming that an inquiry has been initiated into the circumstances of the child’s death.
Throughout the day, AAP workers and Malik’s supporters staged a sit-in at the Doda clock tower. Police repeatedly dispersed the crowd using mild lathicharge, but protesters returned and continued their stir.
Tensions escalated further in Dunadi area when police intercepted a protest march from Bhatyas towards Doda town. The confrontation led to stone-pelting by protesters, in which the Station House Officer (SHO) of Thathri police station was injured.
In Jammu, a group of AAP activists staged a demonstration outside the Press Club, raising slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and accusing the administration of political vendetta.
Protests were also witnessed in Rajouri, Poonch and Kishtwar districts. In Kishtwar, Congress leader Zaffarullah was detained for several hours by police to prevent him from travelling to Doda to join the demonstrations.
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