Congress again raises issue of Masrat Alam's release

The Congress party on Wednesday again raised in the Lok Sabha the issue of release of Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader Masrat Alam, arguing that the decision was taken before the formation of the PDP-BJP coalition government in the state.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Congress member Jyotiraditya Scindia said two letters have surfaced that point to the fact that the detention order had lapsed one month ago and the decision to not renew the detention was taken before the coalition government was sworn in.

"There was a letter from the district magistrate that says that he (Masrat Alam) should be released. At that time, there was Governor's rule in the state. That means that the central government was responsible for the administration there," Scindia said.

"If the government wanted, they could have issued another detention order. This proves that the release was done with the knowledge of the central government," Scindia added, seeking a clarification on the issue.

Responding to this, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said: "This is a serious issue and we should not politicise it."

Naidu said that Home Minister Rajnath Singh would soon make a statement on the issue in the house.

The release of Masrat Alam, a separatist leader in Jammu and Kashmir who masterminded stone-pelting at police and security forces as a strategy, was raised in both houses of parliament on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a statement in the Lok Sabha that the Centre was not consulted on his release.

Rajnath Singh in his statements in both houses said the government was not satisfied with the state government's clarification on the release and has asked for a fresh report.