Srinagar on edge as Masarat Alam is arrested

Agencies SRINAGAR, APRIL 17 Protestors fought pitched battles with security personnel in Srinagar on Friday barely hours after separatist leader Masarat Alam was re-arrested in the latest face-off between pro-Pakistani groups and the government over the alleged custodial death of a suspected militant.Even as security forces were battling stone-pelting and slogan-shouting protestors, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said in Kanpur that the Centre will come down hardly on those accused of sedition. Alam was arrested in the morning ahead of a proposed rally in south Kashmir’s Tral, a day after he -- and another separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani – was placed under house arrest for allegedly raising anti-national slogans during a rally in Srinagar where Pakistan flags were also displayed on Wednesday. On Thursday, police had filed a case under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against them. Alam’s arrest came just weeks after he was released from five years’ imprisonment for organising anti-India protests in 2010. “It’s not a preventive detention. Alam has been arrested for unlawful activities,” inspector general of police Javed Geelani said after the separatist leader was taken into custody. The historic Jamia Masjid in the old city turned into a battleground when moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq tried to lead a procession over the killing of the youth in an army operation in Tral on Monday. The army claimed the slain youth, also a brother of an active Hizbul Mujahideen commander, had links with the militants. The family refutes the army claims saying “he was killed in custody”. “(Chief Minister) Mufti Muhammad Sayeed has kneeled before New Delhi and BJP. We demand an inquiry into the Tral killing and culprits be punished. The time has come to revoke the Armed Special Powers Act (AFSPA),” Mirwaiz told the gathering after the prayers. Violent clashes erupted immediately after Farooq’s speech and the security forces set up barricades to prevent protesters from marching outside the Jamia Masjid premises. Dozens of smoke shells were fired in response to a rain of stones by protesters. The battle continued for the whole day, leaving around 18 people, including policemen, injured. Several police vehicles were also damaged by the stones. Friday’s violent protests came after a long lull in the old city. Geelani’s first public address in five years on Wednesday was simultaneously broadcast in Islamabad and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir capital Muzaffarabad. 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. Alam was earlier convicted for organising anti-India protests, resulting in the death of 112 people in stone pelting across the Valley in 2010. Geelani called for a shutdown on Saturday over Alam’s arrest. “It’s not our pastime to call for shutdowns but we believe we can defeat our opponents peacefully. We will protest against cold-blooded murder of (the) Tral youth, unjustified arrests of Hurriyat leaders and biased and provoking New Delhi-based news outlets reportage,” said the 84-year-old Geelani. In south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, the Tral area remained the epicentre of protests for fourth consecutive day on Friday. Despite a clampdown by authorities, several Hurriyat leaders addressed a Friday congregation at Khankah-i-Faiz Panah and led a procession march towards the house of slain Khalid Muzaffar Wani. The protesters clashed with security personnel manning nearby Gole Masjid in the town. Aerial firing and tear gas shells were used to bring situation under control. Several people were said to have been injured in the clashes. Alam will go to jail again: Rajnath Singh In Kanpur, home minister Rajnath Singh said Alam will be sent to jail again and those charged with sedition will not be forgiven. “I want to assure the country that the government will not compromise on the unity and integrity of the country. Sedition will not be forgiven,” said the home minister. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh also issued a stern warning to the separatists, saying the state government will act tough against them and not tolerate their “provocative” actions. “We will act again, if any such incident (of provocative activities and hoisting Pakistani flag) is repeated. We are not going to tolerate it,” Singh told reporters, The BJP said Alam’s arrest was “no surprise” as the party was clear over not permitting any anti-India activity. Want to know under what sections Alam and Geelani have been arrested.Have they been arrested for Sedition or Waging a War against the Nation Activists of India's right-wing Shiv Sena hold a poster of hardline Muslim separatist, Masarat Alam as they shout slogans during a protest in New Delhi on April 16, 2015. (AFP Photo) Congress general secretary Shakeel Ahmad in New Delhi criticised the state government for delayed action on the issue. “The BJP-PDP coalition government took action against Masarat Alam, who participated in an anti-India rally in the state, only after media made a hue and cry about it,” Ahmad said.