'Conspiracy' to halt return of Kashmiri Pandits: BJP

New Delhi, Apr 17: Under fire over the separatists rally in Srinagar and spate of violent protests in the Valley, BJP said all this was part of a "conspiracy" aimed at stalling plans for resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits.

"The protests are part of a conspiracy to prevent the resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. We will not allow this process to be stalled," BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said, adding that "unity and integrity of the nation is more important than being in power".

BJP also sought to take credit for the arrest in Srinagar of separatist leader Masarat Alam who raised pro-Pakistan slogans, saying Centre had made it clear that no anti-India activity will be allowed in the Valley.

Sharma said there have been 27 FIRs against Alam, but no charge-sheet was filed against him by the previous regime and that is how he was released and is now leading protests there. [Kashmiri Pandits say hurt by "politics" over their return; township needed]

"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 action taken against him," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said.

Party general secretary Ram Madhav said there was no pressure from his party on the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led government in J-K. [Pandits' issue being used to divert attention: MLA]

"They have taken action after due investigation and collection of evidence," he told reporters.

Another BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli justified the arrest of Alam, saying Centre has firmly stated that anti-India activity will not be permitted in the Valley.

PTI