Kashmir’s separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani dies at 91
Hardline separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani, also known as ‘hartal man of kashmir‘, died after prolonged illness at his Hyderpora residence in Srinagar late Wednesday night. He was 91.
According to official sources, Geelani developed serious complications on Wednesday afternoon.
“He had chest congestion and breathing problems. He passed away at 10:30 p.m,” they said.
The local police authorities immediately swung into action and sealed all the road links leading to his house to prevent a large gathering of his supporters. Strict restrictions were also imposed in other parts of Kashmir while mobile internet services were suspended ahead of his burial.
Local police authorities blocked the road links by spreading concertina wires and making verbal appeals to the masses to stay indoors as there will be no movement of people allowed tomorrow due to the demise of Geelani.
Geelani, was born on 29th September 1929 in Zurimanz village of North Kashmir’s Sopore area.
Before becoming a staunch separatist figure, Geelani was an MLA from the Sopore constituency and had won in 1972. He won in the Assembly polls from the same constituency in 1977 and 1987.
Geelani was an active member of Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir but later founded his own party Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.
He served as the chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of various separatist parties, formed on July 31, 1993.
In September 2003, bickering surfaced within the Hurriyat Conference.
Following this tug of war, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat came into existence and Geelani became head of the breakaway faction of the Hurriyat Conference.
Last year in June, he quit his faction of Hurriyat Conference saying that it had failed to counter New Delhi’s efforts to tighten its grip on Jammu and Kashmir.
President of the People’s Democratic Party and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti have condoled his demise. “Saddened by the news of Geelani Sahab’s passing away. We may not have agreed on most things but I respect him for his steadfastness and standing by his beliefs. May Allah Ta’aala grants him Jannat and condolences to his family and well-wishers,”, Mehbooba tweeted.
Saddened by the news of Geelani sahab’s passing away. We may not have agreed on most things but I respect him for his steadfastness & standing by his beliefs. May Allah Ta’aala grant him jannat & condolences to his family & well wishers.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 1, 2021
Sajad Lone, chairman of Peoples Conference and former Minister in a tweet said: “Heartfelt condolences to the family of Syed Ali Shah Geelani Sahib. Was an esteemed colleague of my late father. May Allah grant him Jannat.”
Heartfelt condolences to the family of Syed Ali Shah Geelani Sahib. Was an esteemed colleague of my late father. May Allah grant him Jannat.
— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) September 1, 2021
Pakistan PM Imran Khan has condoled his demise on Twitter. “Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Geelani who struggled all his life for his people & their right to self-determination. He suffered incarceration & torture by the Occupying Indian state but remained resolute.” Imran Khan tweeted
We in Pakistan salute his courageous struggle & remember his words: “Hum Pakistani hain aur Pakistan Humara hai”. The Pakistan flag will fly at half mast and we will observe a day of official mourning.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 1, 2021
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Good riddance, another Paki agent gone after Dilip kumar. There are too many of them working as jornos and pollies. We are a fertile breeding ground for the traitors.