Syed Ali Shah Geelani rally: BJP asks J&K government to take 'immediate action'

NEW DELHI: Taking strong exception to the waving of Pakistani flags and raising of pro-Pakistan slogans at a rally in Srinagar, BJP today asked ally PDP to take immediate action against separatist leaders like Masarat Alam, failing which it said that "consequences" would follow.

"This is unacceptable. We demand immediate action against Alam and the others who were involved in today's rally. There can be no leniency on this, this is clearly a major aberration and we expect PDP to take action.

"If corrective action is not taken... If PDP does not conform to expected notes (sic) of BJP and the Centre, consequences would follow," said BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao.

BJP is partnering with PDP in the coalition government the latter leads in Jammu and Kashmir and Rao said the ruling alliance's purpose was to take concrete steps to ensure peace and stability in the state.

"What happened today is a complete reversal of that. This is unacceptable. We clearly expect some kind of action," he said.

After a gap of five years, J-Kashmir government allowed hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to hold a public rally today on the outskirts of Srinagar where his supporters, including Alam, raised pro-Pakistan slogans while others waved Pakistani flags.

Alam was released from jail last month with the move having triggered a controversy.

Geelani, who returned to J-K after spending the winter months in Delhi, was taken to his residence from the airport in a procession led by Alam, against whom state police has registered a case under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. He is likely to be arrested, official sources said.