JK police release Geelani's funeral videos to counter forced burial claims

Srinagar: Amid the controversy claiming the forced burial of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Jammu and Kashmir Police has released some videos of his funeral prayers to disprove the claims.

As per a report by IANS, the 92-year-old was given a quiet burial on Thursday.

Video clips released by the police have shown that the body of Geelani was properly buried as per the Islamic rites, giving proper ablution and his body wrapped in white shroud and lowered into the grave amid recitation of verses from the holy Quran.

There was massive outrage in protest against alleged police insistence to take away the dead body before dawn against the family's wishes and police not allowing Geelani's close family members to come and have a last glimpse of his body.

"Geelani's two sons agreed to our request, but later probably under pressure from Pakistan the family members tried to shout slogans and create a ruckus when preparations were being made for the burial of the separatist leader", police sources told IANS.

Naeem Geelani, one of his sons and a doctor by profession, as per a report in The Wire, claimed that the police was stubborn to move the body out in a hurry. He tried to argue out with IG Kumar, but then the latter left and paramilitary troops entered and did everything by force. The family protested in anger, as shown in a grainy video, telling the police that they could whatever they wanted.

It was not the allegation of the family that Islamic rites were not followed in the funeral, but that everything was done by force and against the wishes of the family such as waiting for relatives to come and see the dead body.

Geelani's son also alleged that the officials did not wait for any stretcher to arrive and the body was dragged to the ambulance that was ready outside.

However, police claimed that to maintain law and order, the family of the late separatist leader was approached with the request that it would be in the best interests of peace and tranquillity if Geelani was buried in the morning.

According to family sources, Abdul Rashid Shah – a nephew of Geelani – and his son, who live in south Kashmir's Dooru area, were the only relatives who were able to attend his funeral.

Meanwhile, police have registered an FIR under the prevention of unlawful activities act against members of Geelani's family for wrapping his body in the Pakistan flag and shouting anti-national slogans.

Geelani passed away around 10.35 p.m. last Wednesday.

Authorities had imposed wide restrictions and suspended mobile telephony and internet facilities in the Valley in the aftermath of his death. The Wire also reported that outside Geelani's residence and across the Valley, thousands of police and paramilitary personnel had taken control of the roads to prevent people from reaching his residence.

The authorities said that the situation throughout the Valley has now returned to normal and the attendance in government offices, banks and educational institutions is also normal.