Govt. will never compromise on issues of national security: Rajnath Singh

Following the uproar in both Houses of Parliament over separatist leader Masarat Alam's release, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said in the Lok Sabha that the BJP government will never compromise on issues of public safety and public security.

"We asked Jammu and Kashmir Home Department for a report for Masarat Alam's release, and we received it. As soon as we heard the news of Masarat Alam's release we asked for a report from J-K Home Ministry.This is an issue of security. This government will never compromise on issues of public safety and public security," said the Home Minister.

"Masarat Alam has 27 criminal cases on him, according to our information court gave bail to him for all those cases. High Court says that on one ground we can't detain anyone for more than two years, we need fresh charges," he added.

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.

He 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.

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

Masarat's release has drawn a lot of criticism from several political parties.