New Delhi: Proceedings of the Parliament began on a stormy note on Monday, with the opposition demanding an explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the release of separatist leader Masarat Alam in Jammu and Kashmir.
Clarifying the Centre’s stand on the issue, Finance Minister Arun Jailtey in Rajya Sabha said that the Home Ministry has already sought a report from the state government on the issue.
“We will not compromise with national security,” he said.
Alam, who played a key role in organising the 2010 civil unrest in the Valley was released on Saturday after remaining incarcerated for four and a half years.
The move came days after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, instructed the police to immediately initiate the process of releasing all political prisoners against whom there are no criminal cases.
Alam is considered to be a close confidant of hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
During the 2010 unrest, Alam went underground forcing the police to announce a cash reward of Rs 1 million for information leading to his arrest. Upon his arrest from the outskirts of Srinagar City on October 18, 2010 after a four-month long hunt, the state authorities repeatedly slapped stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) on him saying he poses a serious threat to peace and national security.
The sources said the 42-year-old separatist leader was set free after the concerned authorities revoked the latest detention order issues against him under the PSA.
