India asks local government in Indian-controlled Kashmir to take strict action against separatists

The Indian government on Thursday asked the local government in Indian- controlled Kashmir to take strict action against the separatists involved in anti-India activities.

"I have talked to Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed on the issue and I asked him to take strictest possible steps against those involved in anti-national actions," Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh told reporters.I ndian police on Wednesday registered a case against several Kashmiri separatist leaders including Hurriyat hardliner Sayed Ali Geelani and his trusted aide Masarat Alam Bhat for hoisting Pakistani national flag and shouting anti-India slogans during a rally.

The rally was organised by Hurriyat (freedom) Conference to accord rousing reception to Geelani on his return from New Delhi after three months.

Hundreds of people participated in the rally. Geelani's supporters were seen carrying Pakistani flags and shouting pro- Pakistan slogans during the rally.

After the culmination of rally, Singh reportedly spoke to Sayeed Wednesday night and made it clear that India's "national security" can't be compromised.

Meanwhile, Sayeed on Thursday told reporters that law will take its own course.

"If anyone has made a mistake, the law will do its work," Sayeed told reporters during a function at Ananatnag town.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of majority of Kashmiris. A separatist movement and guerilla war challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Endi