Government did no favour, my release part of judicial process: Hurriyat hardliner Masarat Alam

Srinagar: Hurriyat hardliner Masarat Alam, who was released from prison yesterday after four and a half years of detention, has said the PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir had done him no favour, as his release was part of normal judicial process.

"I have not been done any favour by the government. My release is part of the normal judicial process," Mr Alam told PTI on Sunday.

He said he had been repeatedly booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) even though "he had been granted bail by the concerned courts also."

Read: JKPYC holds protests over Masarat Alam's release, burns PM Modi's effigy

On the controversy related to his release, the Muslim League leader said, "If there is any hue and cry over my release, it is their headache."

Asked if his release was an indication of resumption of dialogue between the separatists and the government, Alam said a decision on the matter will be taken by Hurriyat Conference.

"We (Muslim League) are a part of the forum (Hurriyat Conference). Whatever decision the forum takes on talks, I will follow it," he added.

The separatist leader was arrested in October 2010 at the end of agitation that year.

Alam rejected the suggestions that there was a secret deal between him and the state government over this release and it could lead to dialogue between the Centre and the separatists.

"What is the big deal in my release? I have been going in and coming out of jails for the last 20 years. What is new in my release now?" he asked.