'Changing govts doesn't change ground reality': Masarat Alam

Taking a jibe at the newly formed PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir, leader of the hardline-faction of Hurriyat Masarat Alam on Sunday said that changing governments did not change the ground reality.

"Changing governments does not change the ground reality. Either we will change it or the people," said Alam in an exclusive interview with ANI.

Furthermore, the separatist leader said that his release from Baramulla prison was not a big deal as he had been out on bail thrice earlier.

"We have to look at this procedure in a legal way. I have been arrested many times and have been granted bail thrice and therefore it is not a big deal if I have been released. I have spent most of the time in jails since my childhood therefore it would not be a big deal if I get arrested again," he said.

"I'm feeling relaxed, spending time with my family, It's just a normal release, has been done in a legal way," he added.

Earlier on Saturday, BJP workers had staged a protest against the release of the separatist leader.

Alam was released from Baramulla prison following the new 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 an anti-India protests resulting into the death of 112 people in stone pelting across the Valley during 2010.