J-K BJP demands immediate arrest of Geelani, Alam

Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday demanded immediate arrest of separatist leaders who had waved Pakistani flags during a rally in Srinagar, saying it was not satisfied with the "mere registration" of a police case against them.

"We have conveyed to our coalition partner especially to the chief minister who holds the home ministry that we are not satisfied with mere registration of the FIR against Masarat Alam and Syed Ali Shah Geelani for their anti-national activities, we want their immediate arrest," J-K BJP chief spokesman Sunil Sethi told reporters.

He said the party was of the opinion that activities of Masarat Alam pose a threat to the national security.

"As long as this man is out of jail, he continues to be a threat to national security. BJP is of the view that this man should be behind bars," he said.

When asked to comment on BJP's next move if the government fails to arrest the separatist leaders, Sethi said, "We will take some strong action, as the party will never make its stand soft on the issue of national security as national security is paramount for us."

BJP state general secretary and MLA from Kathua seat, Rajiv Jasrotia said Geelani with a heavy tilt towards Pakistan knows exactly how to remain in news.

"Time and again, it has been proved that his political ideology is based on heavy dose of communalism. Over the years, he has mastered the art of exploiting religious beliefs of the common Kashmiri Muslims," he said.

"His rantings like his character have changed from time to time," he said.

"I want action against Masarat Alam as soon as possible. I am hopeful that state government will take action as per the law," he said.

Taking strong exception to the waving of Pakistani flags and raising of pro-Pakistan slogans at the rally, Jasrotia asked the state government to take immediate action against the separatist leaders, including Alam, failing which "consequences" would follow.

"This is unacceptable. I demand immediate action against Alam and the others who were involved in the anti-India act. There can be no leniency on this, this is clearly a major aberration and I expect government to take action," Jasrotia said.

He maintained that "the case has rightly been registered against them. It is a straight case of sedition. Those raising the Pakistani flags have no right to be in India and therefore the Jammu and Kashmir police have taken the right decision".

Meanwhile, newly-nominated BJP MLC Surinder Ambardar told reporters that the party, both in the state and at central level, was on the same page to deal with such elements with a strong hand.

"We are on the same page. So far the BJP's national and state units are concerned, there is no difference over the issue of action against separatists...," Ambardar said.

He was replying to a question about the threat given by the central BJP leadership to the Sayeed government in J-K to ensure immediate action against the separatist leaders or face consequences.

BJP national spokesman G V L Narasimha Rao had said in New Delhi that, "If corrective action is not taken... If PDP does not conform to expected notes (sic) of BJP and the Centre, consequences would follow".

However, party's senior leader and Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh had said that action against separatist leader Masarat Alam will be taken at an appropriate time keeping in view the "local situation".

"See the situation in Kashmir. You should see the mob. We will take action under appropriate law and appropriate time. An FIR has been lodged and police will take action at appropriate time," Singh had said.

Ambardar tried to distance himself from the Singh's statement and said that that party at centre and state level are on the same page to... deal with such separatists with a strong hand.

On Wednesday, hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani held a public rally in the outskirts of Srinagar city where his supporters including Masarat Alam, released from jail last month, raised pro-Pakistan slogans and others waved Pakistani flags.

Image: Hardline separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani at a public rally in the outskirts of Srinagar city. Photograph: Umar Ganie