Jammu,March 12: The release of separatist leader Masarat Alam continues to be shrouded in controversy.
According to a report in the newspaper DNA, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to launch a frontal attack on Omar Abdullah government for being instrumental in Alam’s release.
The Jammu and Kashmir government sent a detailed report to the Centre on Alam, a day after BJP sent a stern message to its alliance partner PDP, reports PTI.
“Yes, we have sent a detailed report to MHA (with clarification),” a senior officer of State Home department told PTI.
Landing Abdullah in further trouble, the article states that former top cop Syed Ashiq Hussain Bukhari, who was senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Srinagar, had said that Abdullah wanted Alam dead and not alive.
Daily Mail reports that Bukhari claimed Abdullah had said: “Why he didn’t you bump off this man?” on being informed that Alam was arrested. He said Abdullah even promoted seven of his men (police personnel) out of turn for arresting Alam.
Bukhari however later denied the statement.
“It is rubbish. I have not said it. I have said Omar Abdullah paid us Rs 15 lakh as cash reward and seven persons were given out of turn promotion for arresting Alam. During my period as SSP Srinagar I received Rs 1.5 crore reward for the good work because in my jurisdiction there was no kllling after I joined in last week of June 2010″, Bukhari told DNA.
“Bukhari has no credibility and objectivity. His allegations against Omar Abdullah are unfounded, defamatory, baseless and totally false. We are contemplating taking legal action against him,” National Conference spokesman Junaid Azim Matto told Daily Mail.
The release of Alam, the mastermind behind the 2008-10 stone-pelting agitation in Srinagar, triggered a massive uproar in the country with calls from several quarters for his re-arrest.
