Srinagar: Syed Ali Geelani, a pro-Pakistani who led the separatist movement in Jammu and Kashmir for more than three decades, was buried at 4:37 am on Thursday in the Hyderpora area of Srinagar. Geelani was buried at a place of his choice in Hyderpora on the outskirts of the city. On the other hand, as a precaution, mobile internet was stopped in the Kashmir Valley. Along with this, strictness like curfew was implemented. Police said that curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in Kashmir as a precaution. The 91-year-old separatist leader was suffering from a kidney ailment for more than two decades. Apart from this, he had other age-related problems including dementia. According to a member of his family, Geelani breathed his last at 10.30 pm on Wednesday.
Geelani is survived by his two sons and six daughters. He remarried in 1968 after the death of his first wife. Separatist leader Geelani was suffering from kidney ailment for more than two decades. Apart from this, he was battling many other diseases related to aging.
Geelani was a three-time MLA from Sopore
A member of Geelani’s family told that Geelani died at 10.30 pm. Gilani, a three-time MLA from Sopore in the erstwhile state, had become the face of protests following the 2008 Amarnath land dispute and the 2010 death of a youth in Srinagar. He was a founding member of the Hurriyat Conference, but he broke away from it and formed the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat in early 2000. Eventually, he also bid farewell to the Hurriyat Conference in June 2020.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan condoled the death of Geelani through his official Twitter handle. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted that she is saddened by the news of Geelani’s demise. “We may not have agreed on most things, but I respect him for his persistence and for sticking to his trust,” she said.
People’s Conference president Sajjad Lone also condoled the death of Geelani. His passport was confiscated in 1981 and then his passport was returned to him only once in 2006 for the Haj pilgrimage. Several cases were pending against him in the Enforcement Directorate, Police, and Income Tax Department. His death was reported on loudspeakers from mosques in the Kashmir Valley and pro-Geelani slogans were raised.
