Doda/Jammu: Authorities on Sunday restored broadband internet services in Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir, as normalcy gradually returned following nearly a week of restrictions after the detention of sitting AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act, officials said.
Malik, who also serves as president of AAP’s J-K unit, was detained on September 8 for allegedly disturbing public order. His detention triggered violent protests, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory restrictions and suspend mobile and broadband internet services.
Restrictions on public movement were partially eased for six hours from Saturday noon after Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range, Shridhar Patil, Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh, and Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Mehta met with civil society representatives, including members of traders’ and transport associations.
Officials said the representatives were assured that restrictions would be gradually lifted, starting immediately. The phased reopening will include markets, transport services, broadband and mobile internet, and schools, depending on the ground situation.
Broadband services have already been restored, and additional security forces were withdrawn from markets that reopened on Sunday morning, officials said.
During the meeting, representatives of the Beopar Mandal, Transport Association, and other groups pledged their full cooperation in maintaining public order and requested a stepwise lifting of restrictions under Section 163 BNSS to allow government and private businesses to function smoothly and ease public distress.
They emphasized that the recent flood-like situation had caused significant losses to the public and stressed the urgent need to restore essential services such as transport, internet, schools, and markets. Civil society representatives reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the administration in stabilizing the situation.
The DIG commended the public and local stakeholders for helping maintain peace and thwarting attempts to disturb order. He urged the business community to ensure CCTV cameras are active and functional to monitor potential troublemakers. He also sought the cooperation of transporters, shopkeepers, and workers in reporting suspicious activities.
The Deputy Commissioner assured attendees that issues related to the supply of essential commodities would be resolved within 24 hours.
