SRINAGAR: The autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly commenced on Thursday with the House paying homage to leaders who passed away recently.

Before the start of the session, MLAs from the ruling National Conference (NC) and Congress staged a silent protest on the Assembly premises, demanding the release of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik, who was arrested in September under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for allegedly disturbing public order in Doda district.

As soon as the House assembled, NC MLA from Sonawari, Hilal Lone, raised the issue of Malik’s arrest. However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather told him to take his seat, assuring that he would allow him to speak on the issue later.

Urging the members to make maximum use of the nine-day Assembly session, Rather said, “We have limited time, a

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