Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi has expressed strong resentment over the denial of a lawful meeting between Senior AIP leader and MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed and jailed MLA Doda, Mehraj Malik.
According to Inam Un Nabi, Sheikh Khursheed travelled to Kathua Jail with the intent to meet the incarcerated legislator from Doda Mehraj Malik but was shockingly barred entry by the Jail Superintendent and the Deputy Commissioner Kathua. “This is not just administrative high-handedness, but a blatant assault on democratic principles,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Sheikh Khursheed met the father of MLA Mehraj Malik, extending solidarity and assuring him that AIP stands unwaveringly with the family in this time of pain. Taking his grievance to the media, Sheikh Khursheed said, “I met the father of Hon’ble MLA Doda Mehraj Malik to share his pain because I too am a victim of the same treatment. Yet, Jail Superintendent & DC Kathua denied my lawful right to meet him. This is an assault on democracy!”
Inam Un Nabi reiterated that barring elected representatives from meeting each other in jail amounts to stifling political space in Jammu and Kashmir. He demanded immediate intervention from higher authorities and called upon democratic institutions, civil society and the judiciary to take cognizance of the unlawful denial of rights to public representatives.
“AIP will continue to raise its voice for Justice for political prisoners and will not allow the silencing of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir,” Inam Un Nabi asserted.
