Modi condemns release of J&K separatist

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday condemned the release of a Kashmiri separatist leader from prison, as political uproar over the move hampered his efforts to push economic reforms through parliament.

Kashmir's new state government this weekend ordered the release of Masarat Alam, who was jailed for organising massive and violent anti-India demonstrations in 2010 in the disputed Muslim-majority region.

Opposition lawmakers created mayhem in parliament yesterday over the move, forcing the adjournment of the lower house and placing pressure on Modi, whose Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shares power with a regional party in Kashmir.

"Whatever decisions are taken in Jammu and Kashmir, neither the BJP or the central government has been consulted," Modi told the parliament in the face of heckling from opposition MPs.

"We will not tolerate anything which undermines the unity, integrity or security of the country. We stand united against separatists and people who support separatism.