Srinagar, Sept. 10 -- Former chief minister and People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today alleged that the arrest of Doda MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA) was a move to divert public attention from the recent Hazratbal "blasphemy" incident that triggered widespread outrage in the Valley.

Mehbooba said instead of taking action against those responsible, including the Waqf Board and its chairperson, the administration chose to detain local people and book them in FIRs.

"In order to deflect attention from the blasphemy issue that deeply hurt people's sentiments, an MLA has been sacrificed," she alleged.

The AAP MLA Malik was booked on Monday under the stringent PSA and sent to jail for allegedly dist...