Doda, September 21 — In a poignant message from Kathua Jail, incarcerated Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Doda, Mehraj Malik, urged his supporters to remain resilient, stating, “Lamha hai, guzar jayega” (This moment shall pass). The message was conveyed by AAP spokesperson and assistant legal counsel Appu Singh Slathia after meeting Mr. Malik in prison on Saturday, marking the first such interaction since his detention.
Mr. Malik, arrested on September 8 from Dak Bungalow in Doda and subsequently booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) by Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh, shared four key messages through Ms. Slathia. Addressing his thousands of supporters and party workers, the MLA spoke of life’s transient challenges, expressing optimism that the current ordeal would soon pass. “There are ups and downs in life, and this shall pass too,” Ms. Slathia quoted him as saying in a statement issued from Kathua.
The legislator also voiced concern over the plight of apple growers in Jammu and Kashmir, who have faced significant losses due to recent highway closures. Highlighting the horticulture sector’s critical role as the backbone of the region’s economy, Mr. Malik urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to prioritise addressing the growers’ and traders’ grievances. He specifically requested the Chief Minister to cancel a planned visit to Paris and focus on resolving the crisis affecting the sector.
In another appeal, Mr. Malik called on Mr. Abdullah to personally oversee the relief and rehabilitation efforts for flood-affected residents of his constituency. The MLA’s message underscored the urgency of providing support to those grappling with the aftermath of natural calamities in Doda.
Concluding on a note of hope, Mr. Malik assured his supporters that he would soon be released and reunite with them. “He has sent a message to his followers that he will be out and among them soon,” Ms. Slathia said.
The AAP leader’s legal team is preparing to challenge the PSA charges by filing a petition in the High Court to seek the quashing of the detention order. The invocation of the PSA, a stringent law allowing detention without trial, has sparked debates about its application in this case.
Mr. Malik’s arrest and detention have drawn attention to the broader political and economic challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Doda, where issues like infrastructure disruptions and natural disasters continue to impact livelihoods. His messages from jail reflect both a personal resolve and a call for administrative action to address pressing regional concerns.
As the legal battle unfolds, the MLA’s words, “Lamha hai, guzar jayega,” resonate as a symbol of hope for his supporters, who await his release and return to public life.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
