BJP, NCP concur as Gautam Navlakha-Hizbul Mujahideen links surface, seek stringent action against anti-national forces

In a massive development in the urban naxals case, the Pune Police on Wednesday said in the Bombay High Court that Gautam Navlakha had associations with Hizbul Mujahideen and Kashmiri separatist leaders.

WHAT BJP SAID ON GAUTAM NAVLAKHA-HIZBUL MUJAHIDEEN LINK

Speaking on the issue, Kavinder Gupta, the former deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said that these people must be identified and stringent action must be taken for conspiring against the nation. 

"People like Gautam Navlakha, so many people of this type are working against the country. Not only one organisation, there was a funding. Like Award-wapsi gang they spoil the environment just before elections. Similarly, those who wrote a letter to the PM, these people must be checked. Home Ministry will not leave it and there must be a law to bring them under the scanner and investigate these anti-national elements."

Speaking on the issue, BJP Jammu and Kashmir chief Ravinder Raina said: "Be it the terror organisations in Jammu and Kashmir or the maoist organisations, they have always conspired against the country. And they have killed the innocents. and the so-called intellectuals who sometimes write letter to PM and on other times shout on the name of human rights, they all are conspirators. They are trying to divide the country."  

READ: Bhima Koregaon Case: Supreme Court issues notice to Gautam Navlakha; refuses to give more time to Pune police for investigation

WHAT NCP SAID ON THE GAUTAM NAVLAKHA-HIZBUL MUJAHIDEEN LINK

NCP leader Majeed Memon said: "This is something very serious. It is not a matter to publicise. It is a sensitive matters and must be done in all confidentiality. These are affecting peace in Kashmir and around. We have to fight terror to the best of our ability. If there is any link with separatists or Maoists, or evidence of their hatching a conspiracy then Police commissioner must be well aware and investigating agency where we have expert officers - this needs to be seriously taken. This has to be done quietly without sounding it to much to other side so that they must erase evidence. If there is any evidence, investigation agency must follow the thread to unearth and take effective legal step."

WHAT IS THE CASE AGAINST GAUTAM NAVLAKHA?

Navlekha and others are facing a case for alleged links with Maoists. "He (Navlakha) has been liaising with banned terrorist organisations including Hizbul Mujahideen since 2011," Aruna Pai, the counsel for Pune police stated. Pai further alleged that between 2011 and 2014, Navlakha was in touch with Kashmiri separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Shakil Bakshi. Navlakha was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other offenses. On July 5, the high court had granted him interim protection from arrest till July 23. On Wednesday, it was extended till further orders.

Gautam Navlakha, Naxals were in contact with Hizbul Mujahideen, Kashmiri separatists: Pune police