For the first time since both parties formed an alliance, the BJP has its way in forcing PDP to reverse its soft separatism policy and arrest Hurriyat hardliner and the architect of 2010 agitation Masarat Alam.
BJP has won the round one of the big fight against its alliance partner the People’s Democratic Party in the militancy plagued Jammu and Kashmir. For the first time since both parties formed an alliance, the BJP has its way in forcing PDP to reverse its soft separatism policy and arrest Hurriyat hardliner and the architect of 2010 agitation Masarat Alam.
Alam’s earlier release on March 7 by Mufti government had stirred, but Mufti stood his ground and did not re-arrest him despite pressure from the BJP and other outfits. One month on, Mufti was forced to fall in line and arrest Alam for leading anti India and pro-Pakistan rally at Hyderpora two days ago.
“This is not the case of victory or defeat. This is matter of national security. The re-arrest of Masarat Alam was the necessity from the security point of view. He was mastermind of 2010 stone pelting agitation which claimed the lives of 120 youth. Had he not been released he would have created problems,” Ravinder Raina, BJP MLA from Nowshera constituency, told dna.
Buoyed by the re-arrest of Alam, BJP is now demanding the arrest of other Hurriyat leaders in the valley. “After his arrest the Centre should develop new strategy to nab other Huriyat and separatist leaders because they are the agents of Pakistan”, said Raina.
However, the PDP is putting a brave face claiming that there was no pressure from New Delhi or Srinagar for arresting Alam. “Masarat Alam was released through a procedure by honourable Supreme Court. There was no pressure. Had chief minister succumbed to pressure he would have detained him at the same time. We have examined the video there is a solid case established against Alam. He tried to instigate not only raising anti India and anti national slogans but shouting pro Lashkar -e-Tioba and pro militant slogans”, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, PDP spokesman, told dna.
Opposition Congress is not amused and wants slapping of Public Safety Act against the separatists in Kashmir. “Union home ministry has compromised with national and state security by not imposing PSA on those who have been spreading venom in past few months. NDA government has encouraged anti national elements by being soft towards them,” said Nadeem Sharief Naiz, Publicity Secretary of Pradesh Congress Committee.
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