Separatist rally: J-K Govt. should act with firmness, says Raja

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja on Friday said the PDP-BJP coalition should act with firmness in response to Masarat Alam's separatist rally.

"The coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir should act with firmness. What we discuss at the political level to find solutions for the valley problem and the state of Jammu and Kashmir is different, but separatists cannot have a free hand to do whatever they like," Raja said.

"They cannot hold the Pakistani flag and have demonstrations within our country. Jammu and Kashmir is a part of our country and there is an elected government, and this government will have to act within the framework of the law of the land," he added.

He pointed out that though the government has been late in acting against the separatists, it is better than not acting at all.

"Even though it is too late, it has been done. Now, what next, that's what the government should think over. I agree it is late, but it is better than never," Raja said.

Earlier in the day, as a preventive measure to maintain law and order, Alam and Hurriyat hardliner leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani were placed under house arrest by the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The state government also denied permission for a proposed congregation in Tral today, with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed reportedly instructing the police to refuse permission for the rally.

Alam is the chairman of Muslim League, a constituent of hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Geelani and is widely seen as the latter's heir apparent.

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