Law will takes its course: Mufti Sayeed on action against separatists

The Centre asked the J&K govt to take strictest possible action against those allegedly involved in anti-national activities during a rally in Srinagar

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the law will takes its own course after the Centre asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to take strictest possible action against those allegedly involved in anti-national activities during a rally in Srinagar yesterday.

An FIR was registered last night against several separatist leaders including hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Masarat Alam Bhat for provocative activities including hoisting of Pakistani flag.

"Law will take its own course. If anyone has made a mistake, the law will do its work," Sayeed told reporters after distributing relief among flood victims in Anantnag district.

A police spokesman said, "An FIR has been registered against Geelani, Bhat, Bashir Ahmad Bhat alias Peer Saifullah and other separatist leaders for provocative activities and hoisting Pakistani flag in Hyderpora."

He said some miscreants who were part of the crowd also pelted stones on CRPF vehicles. However, security personnel exercised restraint to safeguard the lives of people.

The incident was slammed by major parties. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Sayeed last night.

"I have spoken to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. We will take action," Rajnath Singh told reporters today in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Singh told Mufti that the issue of national security cannot be compromised. The Chief Minister briefed Singh about what happened at the rally and the situation there, official sources said.

Singh told Sayeed that "any step which can be termed as anti-national cannot be tolerated," they said. The Home Minister directed that "strictest possible action should be taken against those involved in it."

Geelani, who returned after spending winter months in Delhi, led the rally. He was taken to his residence from the airport in a procession led by Alam.

Alam rejected the suggestions that he was indulging in unlawful activities. "We are only promoting the aspirations of the people of Kashmir," he said.

Besides the Hurriyat flags, some supporters were also seen carrying Pakistani flags as they chanted pro-Pakistan and pro-freedom slogans.