Sangrur MP Simranjit Singh Maan holding dharna at Lakhanpur against curbs over his entry into J&K

Maan was stopped from entering Kathua in virw of likelihood of disturbance in public tranquility in J&K.

JAMMU, OCTOBER 18: Creating a piquant station for Jammu and Kashmir as Sangrur’s sitting Lok Sabha member Simranjit Singh Maan is holding a sit-in at Lakhanpur in Kathua district bordering Punjab since Monday night, insisting thr UT administration to allow him proceed to Jammu.

The Sangrur MP was on Monday night stopped at Lakhanpur by police around 9 pm and handed over an order issued by Kathua District Magistrate Rahul Pandey restraining his entertainer into Kathua district under Section 144 of CrPC as it may “cause disturbance in public tranquility”. 

Since the district has its borders with Punjab, one has to pass through it while entering Jammu and Kashmir.

Maan, who was on way to Jammu to meet people and ascertain their views about the situation in the Union Territory post abrogation of Article 370, criticised the prohibitory order as being issued against him without serving him an advanced copy of it so that he could have approached the court as provided under law. 

Referring to the killing of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir, the Sangrur MP asked that “how can one address to their issues unless one meets and asks them about the problems facing them”.

Kathua District Magistrate and SSP visited Maan during night but he refused to return to Punjab. He is still on dharna there.

While talking to the media, Mann said, “After the abrogation of special status of J&K, I wanted to see the situation in which Sikhs, Kashmiri Pandits and other communities are living in J&K. However, the administration has handed over me a letter stating that I will not be allowed to enter the UT as Section 144 has been imposed in the area.”

Meanwhile, Member Parliament, Simranjit Singh Mann tweeted “Party Members & I’ve entered J&K. Police with orders from GOI have stopped my entry into Kashmir without assigning any reason. I have a Constitutional right to be represented by lawyer, which isnt being allowed. Union Home Minister Mr. Shah says there is complete peace in J&K”

“Thus I see no reason to prevent entry of a peaceful delegation, visiting and enquiring upon the people of J&K. Our Party is against such tyranny and special powers given to the army to kill, molest, kidnap, murder and detain any Kashmiri with impunity.”

However, Simranjit Singh Mann questioned the denial of his entry to Jammu and Kashmir. “Why are they stopping an MP?” questioned Mann.

“If Jammu and Kashmir are a part of India then why are you stopping me in India? What is the reason behind stopping an MP in his own country?”, Mr Mann asked.

I will ask Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha why you fear Simranjit Singh entering into Jammu and Kashmir”, Mr Mann further said.