Syed Ali Geelani, avowedly a pro-Pakistan supporter who spearheaded the separatist motion in Jammu and Kashmir for over three a long time, was buried in Srinagar’s Hyderpora space at 4:37 am on Thursday. Mobile web was shut down in Kashmir valley as a precautionary measure to forestall confusion as a result of unfold of rumours.
The 92-year-old separatist chief had been affected by a kidney illness for over 20 years, in addition to having different age-related points, together with dementia. According to certainly one of his relations, Geelani breathed his final at 10.30 pm on Wednesday.
A 3-time MLA within the erstwhile state from Sopore, Geelani had nearly change into the face of agitation within the 2008 Amarnath land row, 2010 agitation sparked by killing of a youth in Srinagar. Shortly after the information broke in Kashmir, scores of Kashmiris converged at his dwelling in Hyderpora neighborhood to mourn the dying of Geelani, who remained underneath home arrest a lot of the time since 2008.
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He was the founder member of Hurriyat Conference however broke away and shaped his personal Tehreek-e-Hurriyat in early 2000. He lastly bid farewell to his personal Hurriyat Conference in June 2020. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed condolences over Geelani’s dying on his official Twitter deal with. Khan introduced, “The Pakistan flag will fly at half mast and we’ll observe a day of official mourning.”
Pakistan’s General Qamar Javed Bajwa called the separatist leader an “icon”, and expressed “deepest grief” on his demise. In 2020, the neighbouring country had awarded him the Nishan-e-Pakistan.
A report in Times of India said Geelani’s death came days after speculation of an imminent ban on both factions of the Hurriyat had led to a signboard of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat being hurriedly removed from the annexe of his family home.
In a way, it seemed to mark the passing of the Hurriyat mantle to the other faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who remained defiant amid murmurs of a ban, teh report stated.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted saying that she was saddened by the news of his death. “We may not have agreed on most things but I respect him for his steadfastness and standing by his belief…”
People’s Conference (PC) chairman Sajad Lone mentioned, “Heartfelt condolences to the household of Syed Ali Shah Geelani Sahib. Was an esteemed colleague of my late father. May Allah grant him Jannat.” Geelani would be buried at the place of his choice in the neighbourhood of Hyderpora in the outskirts of the city. His passport was seized in 1981 and never returned, barring an exception in 2006 to facilitate him to perform Hajj pilgrimage.
There were several cases pending against him in the Enforcement Directorate, police and Income Tax Department. Pro-Geelani slogans and messages announcing his death were broadcast over loudspeakers from mosques in Kashmir valley.
Police said curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in Kashmir as a precautionary measure. A heavy police bandobast was seen around Geelani’s residence and the roads leading upto it were sealed, with no one allowed to go there. Internet services are also likely to be suspended.
Strict restrictions have been imposed in Sopore district, the area from where he belonged. Security forces have been deployed in strength at vulnerable places for maintaining law and order.
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