Jammu & Kashmir government has not yet decided any action on the re-arrest of hardliner Masrat Alam Bhat after a case was registered by J&K Police against several seperatist leaders including Hurriyat Chairman Syed Ali Geelani for making inflammatory speeches and hoisting Pakistani flag at a rally held in Srinagar yesterday.
Talking to reporters after relief distribution among flood hit small traders and destitute at Anantnag in South Kashmir today, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said law will take its own course and if anyone has made a mistake, the law will do its work. Chief Minister’s statement came after the Centre asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to take strictest possible action against those allegedly involved in anti-national activities during a rally.
An FIR was registered last night against several separatist leaders including hardliner Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Masarat Alam Bhat under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for for provocative activities including hoisting of Pakistani flag at a rally . Official sources said, the Chief Minister had yesterday briefed Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the happenings at the rally and the situation there.
The development came barely few hours after the Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed said in Srinagar yesterday that the viewpoint of those outside the mainstream needs to be understood”, for taking out the J&K out of prevailing political chaos and uncertainty. Sayeed while addressing a gathering of flood-affected traders and destitute at SK International Convention Center (SKICC) in Srinagar had said Kashmir is a political issue that needs a “dignified solution” adding friendly ties with Pakistan were needed as well. Mufti had said for ensuring peace in J&K, the SAARC can act as a bridge.
On the other hand, separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat today denied waving Pakistani flag at a rally in Srinagar. Masarat said he did not wave the flag and should not be held responsible for that. He, however, said that some youth had Pakistani flags at the rally.
In another devlopment, the State Unit of Vishwa Hindu Parishat, VHP has criticised the State and central governments for their alleged soft attitude towards separatists. Addressing media persons in Jammu the VHP State Patron Dr. Ramakant Dubey demanded the strongest action against the persons involved in anti-national activities at Hyderpora rally in Srinagar yesterday. The activists of Shiv Sena and Kranti Dal also held protest demonstrations in Jammu city today. In Jammu, political parties like BJP and others have raised voice against the happenings at yesterday’s Hyderpora Rally event, however, in Kashmir there is no such talk on streets. BJP senior leader and Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh had yesterday said that action against separatist leader Masrat Alam will be taken at an appropriate time keeping in view the local situation.