Updated
Jammu, Mar 9 (PTI): BJP legislators in Jammu and Kashmir today lodged a strong protest with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed over the release of hardline separatist leader Masarat Alam and demanded his re-arrest.
The party also took exception to the "misinformation campaign" that the decision to release Alam was taken after consulting it.
The MLAs led by state BJP General Secretary Rajiv Jasrotia met Sayeed at his residence and submitted a memorandum.
"We have lodged a strong protest with the Chief Minister and expressed our deep concern over the unilateral decision (of release of the Masarat Alam)," Jasrotia told reporters later.
He said that Sayeed assured them that their concerns would be addressed.
The BJP also asked Sayeed to consider re-arrest of Alam in view of the statements made by him soon after his release in Kashmir.
"BJP strongly opposes and rejects the decision to release Masarat Alam and believes that the conduct of Alam, after his release and the statements made by him and situation existing now, are fresh inputs to consider his fresh detention under PSA immediately in the interest of the security of the state," Jasrotia said.
"Alam remaining at large any more will be detrimental to the security of the state and worsen the security scenario," he claimed.
The BJP also sought immediate probe into all pending FIRs against Alam, the challans of which have not been presented, he said
Earlier Update
PM denounces release of Kashmiri separatist leader
New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today denounced the release of hardline separatist leader Masarat Alam by the Jammu and Kashmir government of which BJP is a partner, saying he shared the "outrage" over the unacceptable decision and would take whatever action is required.
Modi spoke in Lok Sabha as members from various political parties created an uproar over the development, terming it as "anti-national" and dangerous to the country's integrity, and dared BJP to pull out of the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led government.
Asserting that the release of the separatist leader was not acceptable, he said his government won't tolerate any compromise with the nation's integrity.
He said the Centre has sought clarifications from the state government and will act after the response is received.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Centre had already sought clarifications from the state but was not satisfied with part of the reply. Further clarification has been sought, he said.
"I want to assure the House that we will not refrain from issuing strongest advisory to the state government if required," Singh said.
As opposition protested, Modi made an intervention, saying he shares the "outrage" of the country as well as the House over the development.
"Parliament, in one voice, has condemned this type of action. I assure the country and the House that whatever is happening there (in J and K), the Union government was neither consulted not informed... Government does not accept such action.
"In one voice, we express our anger against those supporting separatists and misusing the law. In the coming days, we will take whatever action is required and we are committed to the nation's integrity," Modi said.
Earlier Report
Not consulted, don't approve decision to release Hurriyat hardliner Alam: BJP
Jammu, Mar 9 (NDTV): The BJP was neither consulted and nor had consented to the release of hardline separatist leader Masarat Alam by the government, the party said on Sunday. The party has decided to register a formal protest with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed regarding the issue.
Alam - accused of fanning trouble in 2010 in which over 100 people died in Kashmir -- was released from jail on Saturday by the week-old People's Democratic Party-led government. Left red-faced by the decision, the lawmakers of coalition partner had been holding protests in Jammu.
"This step does not have consent of BJP. Nor was BJP consulted before such a decision was taken," news agency Press Trust of India quoted state BJP chief Jugal Kishore Sharma as saying. "If they (the PDP) had asked us, we would not have given our approval."
The legislators, he reportedly said, will meet to discuss the party's stand over the "unilateral" step.
Alam was released according to the new government's policy of freeing political prisoners who do not face criminal charges. Mr Sharma, however, said the issue does not figure in the Common Minimum Programme, the guidelines for the coalition government.
Playing down the criticism, PDP spokesman Naeem Akhtar said, "This (the release of Alam) has to be seen in proper perspective. It is an important part of our Common Minimum Programme to involve all stakeholders in the state, and across the Line of Control, for reconciliation and peace in the state."
"If you want to have a dialogue with all stakeholders... you cannot engage them by keeping them in jail without anything substantial against them," he added.
This is the third instance since March 1 -- when the lawmakers took oath -- in which the BJP have been left in an embarrassing position by its ally. Last Sunday, within an hour of taking oath, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had thanked "people from across the border" - construed as a reference to Pakistan - and the militants for allowing a conducive atmosphere for the elections.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Rajnath Singh clarified the matter following vociferous protests by the opposition, a group of PDP lawmakers issued a statement demanding the return of the remains of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who was executed in 2013.