Congress 'unimpressed' with action against Masarat Alam and Syed Ali Geelani
Jammu: Congress was unimpressed by the action against hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and separatist leader Masarat Alam, and wondered whether they have been arrested under charges of sedition for committing "anti-India act".
"Jammu and Kashmir Govt should tell under what sections have Masarat Alam and Geelani arrested. We keep arresting people on attending assembly in an unlawful manner under Sections 107, 115 (of CrPC). But have they been arrested under the law of being a traitor? Have they been arrested on charges of sedition? We want information on this," party General Secretary Digvijay Singh asked.
Noting that house arrest means they were "guests" of Jammu and Kashmir government, Singh recalled that BJP used to say that the erstwhile UPA government gave biryani to Kasab, who was convicted in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
"However, this did not happen. But since they are under house arrest and are guests of J-K Govt, they might be eating biryani," Singh remarked.
Party spokesperson P C Chacko said: "I don't know whether they are arrested. They should have been arrested earlier." "Masarat Alam and Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the two separatist leaders, their speeches and also raising of Pakistan flag in the rally are the most serious offence and anti-India act. Even house arrest is a kind of vip treatment to them", said Chacko.
Geelani and Alam were put under house arrest on Thursday ahead of their rally in Tral town of Pulwama district on Friday. The J-K police arrested Alam in connection with the raising of Pakistani flags during a rally here on Wednesday.
