Masarat Alam arrest: We made clear no anti-India activity will be permitted, says BJP

BJP on Friday sought to take credit for the arrest of hardline separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat in Kashmir, saying the Union government as well as the party had made it clear that no anti-India activity will be permitted in the Valley.

The party, however, downplayed the suggestion that it was the pressure brought by it on the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led state government which resulted in his arrest and said state police acted after collecting due evidence.

"The very moment Alam raised Pakistan flag, he raised pro-Pakistan slogan, none other than Home Minister of India Rajnath Singh gave a swift call to the Chief Minister, demanding that he should be quickly arrested and stringent most action taken against him," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said.

Asked if the arrest was made due to the pressure created by BJP, he said "I would not say because of pressure tactic but concerns raised by Singh."

Party General Secretary Ram Madhav reiterated that there was no pressure from his party. "They have taken action after due investigation and collection of evidence," he told reporters.

Another BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said the arrest of Alam was "imminent" and BJP and the Union government had made it clear that no anti-India activity would be permitted.

The PDP-led government in Jammu and Kashmir, in which BJP is also a partner, today arrested Alam in connection with the raising of Pakistani flags during a rally here on Wednesday.