Srinagar, Oct. 23 -- The autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly commenced on Thursday with members paying homage to leaders who passed away recently.

Before proceedings began, 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 the House assembled, NC MLA from Sonawari, Hilal Lone, raised the issue of Malik's arrest. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather asked him to take his seat, assuring that he would be allowed to speak on the matter later. Urging members to make the most of the nine-day session, Ra...