BJP, PDP to meet over Masarat Alam's release

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs will be holding a meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed over the release of top separatist leader Masarat Alam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier in the day said the Central Government was neither informed nor consulted about Alam's release

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh earlier making a statement on the issue said the Centre has sought clarifications from the Jammu and Kashmir government on Alam's release.

He informed the Lower House that although 27 criminal cases are against Alam but he has been granted bail in all the cases.

The Home Minister also informed the Lok Sabha that the High Court has said, 'a person cannot be detained for more than two years under the Public Safety Act'.

Alam was released from Baramulla prison following the new Jammu and Kashmir government's policy to free political prisoners who do not face criminal charges.

Alam is the chairman of Muslim League, a constituent of hard-line Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and is widely seen as the latter's successor.

He had been convicted for organizing anti-India protests resulting in the death of 112 people in stone pelting across the Valley in 2010.