Masarat, Geelani booked for waving Pakistani flag
SRINAGAR: Separatist leader Masarat Alam, who was released from jail just weeks back, on Wednesday unfurled Pakistan’s flag at Lal Chowk here..
The Hurriyat hardliner, who was released from Baramulla prison last month by the PDP-BJP coalition government, was seen standing amidst a mob and holding an anti-India rally. He was raising anti-India slogans to greet pro-Pakistan leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani of the Hurriyat.
This was Geelani’s first public rally after the 2010 summer agitation in Srinagar in which over 100 youth were killed.Reacting to the development, Congress slammed the PDP-BJP alliance and said that they have released a man who holds strong anti-India views.
“The first step that BJP and PDP did in J&K was to release Masarat Alam, a man responsible for stone-pelting and anti-India slogans. It’s unfortunate, the incidents that are unfolding in Srinagar,” Congress leader RPN Singh was quoted as saying by a News Agency.
The BJP also reacted and said that the state government should take cognizance of the matter.“The manner in which Pakistani flags were being raised during a protest in Srinagar is completely unacceptable. The government should take cognizance of the matter,” said BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao.
When asked what action would the PDP government take in this regard, party’s leader Abhijit Jasrotia told ANI, “If law says FIR should be lodged, we will, if law says it is not to be lodged then we are not above law. If the law says that he (Masarat Alam) falls under such a criteria that he should be taken, we will go as per law.”
Meanwhile, taking action against Alam and Geelani, Jammu and Kashmir Police has registered a case against them under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
