Mufti to release more prisoners, BJP leaders ask Modi to snap ties with PDP

Bengaluru, Mar 9: Amidst strong criticism from opposition, and Panthers Party (JKNPP) calling bandh over release of separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat, sources say that Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is gearing up to release more prisoners in coming days.

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) meeting convened on the issue of release of Alam saw many leaders openly criticizing Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed's "anti-India stand" and asked central leadership to end its support of coalition government.

PDP was quick to downplay the issue and said that the decision was part of engaging all stakeholders for establishing peace in the state, and part of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the two parties.

The BJP had earlier accused CM Mufti of deviating from the common minimum programme which puts peace and development ahead of controversial issues.

Compliment for Pakistan, Hurriyat, and now release of Masarat Alam:

After taking over as Chief Minister, Mufti praised Pakistan and Hurriyat hardliners for smooth conduct of state polls, invoked Afzal Guru, and now set Masarat Alam free.

Meanwhile, the Home Minister Rajnath Singh has sought a report from the J&K government on circumstances leading to release of Alam from the Baramulla jail.

Alam faces 15 cases, including case of waging war against the country:

Masarat Alam faces around 15 pending cases, including case under Section 120 and 121 Ranbir Penal Code (waging war against the country). The 44-year-old was booked by police under criminal conspiracy for 2010 agitation during which about 120 men lost their lives.

In the recent turn of events, the opposition has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come clean on his stand on the release of separatist leader.

The right-wing Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday had asked BJP must make it clear to the PDP leader and questioned the move of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and asked him "if he is an Indian or not".

OneIndiaNews