Masarat Alam's release is threat to nation: Shiv Sena

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said the release of top separatist leader Masarat Alam is a threat to the nation and alleged that Pakistan is running the government in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The terrorist [Masarat Alam] who was released is a risk and threat to the nation. The BJP did oppose to it and still if such terrorists are released from jail in Jammu Kashmir, then I feel that it is not the BJP Government there, but it is Pakistan who is running it," Raut told ANI here.

"What everyone feared of, that is happening in Jammu and Kashmir. To form government with the PDP is actually a threat to the nation and it has already started," he added.

Earlier on Saturday, the BJP workers staged a protest against the release of Hurriyat leader Mashrat Alam.

Alam was released from the Baramulla Prison following the 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 into the death of 112 people in stone pelting across the Valley during 2010.