Separatist Leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani Passed Away at the Age of 92

GG News Bureau
Srinagar, 2nd Sep. Separatist and former Hurriyat chief Syed Ali Shah Geelani passed away late on Wednesday night. He was 92 years old. On Wednesday afternoon, doctors attended him after he complained of shortness of breath and chest tightness. He died late at around 10:30 in the night. Geelani was continuously under house arrest in Hyderpora since 2008.

He was born on 29 September 1929 in Duru village of Sopore area of Baramulla district. Many leaders, including Peoples Democratic Front chief Mehbooba Mufti, expressed deep grief over Geelani’s death.

Gilani, who is considered to be a supporter of Pakistan, has also been a member of the Legislative Assembly thrice. Geelani has been an MLA from the Sopore Legislative Assembly constituency of Jammu and Kashmir in the years 1972, 1977 and 1987. However, Geelani later distanced himself from politics. In 1962, he was also sent to jail for spreading unrest.

A police officer from Jammu and Kashmir said that mobile internet service has been suspended along with the imposition of restrictions in the entire valley. Meanwhile, Hurriyat leader and Jammu and Kashmir People’s League president Mukhtar Ahmed Waza was arrested late in the night from Anantnag in south Kashmir.

After Geelani’s death, the entire valley was alerted. Police and security forces have been deployed at sensitive places. The SSPs of all the districts have been instructed to maintain law and order. Geelani’s family members want him to be buried at the Shaheedi burial ground in Srinagar, but expect him to be buried at Hyderpora. On the other hand, the police have appealed to the people of North Kashmir to exercise restraint. People have been advised not to go towards Srinagar.