Srinagar: Kashmiris tallest pro-freedom leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani passed away on Wednesday (Sep 1, 2021) at his Srinagar based residence. Family sources said Syed Ali Geelani breathed his last at around 10.30 pm Wednesday.
He was 92.
Scores of political leaders including Mehbooba Mufti, Peoples Conference Sajad Lone, Awami National Conference Begum Khalida Shah and Muzafar Shah and others expressed grief over the demise of veteran leader.
“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,” former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.
Geelani spent years together under house arrest. He was suffering from illness from past over a year at his Rehmatabad Hyderpora residence.
In June, separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani resigned as chief of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, complaining that constituents of the amalgam failed to lead the people after abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, “overstepped the limits”, and tried to “create a parallel structure”.
Massive security was deployed across Kashmir while in parts of North Kashmir people used public address system to inform people about the demise of Syed Ali Geelani.
Police appealed people of North Kashmir especially Sopore to avoid moving towards Srinagar.
IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar told reporters that there will be restrictions and outsiders won’t be allowed to move towards the residence of Geelani.
Mobile internet has been suspended as a security reason while restriction have been imposed.
There are reports that Geelani will be laid to rest during the middle of the night while only few relatives and neighbours will be allowed to shoulder his coffin. (KNT)
