Srinagar, Feb 11: Asking Government of India to allow Afzal Guru’s family to visit his grave, President of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Member Parliament (MP) from Hyderabad Assadudin Owaisi on Sunday dared New Delhi to contradict Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that hanging of Guru would increase alienation in the Valley.
 “If Omar Abdullah is saying that Guru’s execution would increase alienation in the Valley, Government of India should rebut him if he is wrong,” the MP from Andhra Pradesh told Greater Kashmir over phone. “New Delhi needs to respond to Omar as he is making these remarks in capacity of the Chief Minister of the State and he knows the ground reality,” he added.
On Saturday, Omar had said that the move would reinforce sense of alienation in the state, especially among young Kashmiris.
 "The long term implications of Afzal Guru's execution are worrying as they are linked to the people of Kashmir, especially the younger generation. Like it or not, the execution has reinforced the point that there is no justice. We will have to deal with how we can change that sort of alienation", Omar had said.
 Owaisi expressed dismay over government not allowing  Afzal’s family to meet him before his execution. “Definitely, a person who is about to be hanged must be given an opportunity to meet his family. If meeting one- to- one was not possible, a telephone call would have been enough,” Owaisi said adding “I am surprised that Afzal was not allowed to speak to his family.”
 The MP, who has been vocal critic of human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir since 2010 unrest, demanded that Government of India should permit Afzal’s wife to visit his grave in Tihar jail.
 Demanding relaxation in the curfew that was enforced on Saturday in the Valley, Owaisi said people should be allowed to purchase essential commodities and baby food. “The newspapers should be allowed to resume their publications,” he added.
 Demanding hanging for the killers of Rajiv Gandhi and Beant Singh, Owaisi said that prosecution should pray for death for the perpetrators of Samjuhta Express blast, Makkah Masjid blast and Ajmer blast.
 “Whether it is National Investigation Agency or others, they should seek death for those involved in these heinous acts as a blast in Masjid is a rarest of rare case,” he said. 

Lastupdate on : Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST