Separatist leader Masarat detained under PSA

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, April 23

The Mufti Mohammad Sayeed led-J&K Government has booked 45-year-old senior separatist leader Masarat Alam under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Alam has been ordered to be lodged at high security Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu.

The District Magistrate Budgam, Mir Altaf Ahmad, confirmed Masarat’s detention. “He has been booked under the PSA,” Ahmed said.

The PSA empowers a District Magistrate to take anyone in his district into preventive custody for up to two years without trial if he feels the person poses a threat to security in the state.

The sources in the J&K government said Masarat is being shifted to Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu and his PSA detention was signed late last night by District Magistrate of Budgam after dossier was sent to him by the Superintendent of Police, Budgam.

Masarat was arrested on April 17 from his home in Habbakadal area of Srinagar city amid mounting outrage over his raising of pro-Pakistan slogans and flags at a rally on April 15, which was organised by separatists to welcome the Huriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s arrival from Delhi.

Masarat was charged with sedition and waging war against the country during Geelani’s welcome rally.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate Budgam has reserved its orders on the bail plea of Masarat for April 25. His counsel has denied all the charges leveled against Masarat in the FIR.  

Masarat’s release on March 7 was the first major move of the Mufti government which hogged headlines, with the BJP taking strong exceptions to coalition partner’s decision. Masrat was released from nearly four years’ detention.