J&K Police books relatives of Geelani under UAPA

J&K Police on Saturday has registered a First Information Report alleging the family members of Syed Ali Shah Geelani along with others raised "anti-national slogans" and resorted to other "anti-national activities", after the nanogenarian leader's death at his home.

Quoting police sources, The Hindu reports that the family members were seen "raising anti-national slogans" and "resorted to other anti-national activities like putting Pakistani flag on the body of deceased Geelani.

According to the report , the FIR has been registered under number 277/2021 under several sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Meanwhile, All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), on Friday, expressed "deep grief and sorrow" over the demise of veteran separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who passed away on September 1 after a prolonged house arrest.

Hurriyat said that the demise of Geelani has not only created a big void in the political corridors of Jammu Kashmir but also marked the end of an era.

In a statement, Hurriyat alleged that the people were not allowed to participate in the funeral prayers of Syed Ali Geelani as strict restrictions and curbs were imposed across the Valley, which was extremely shameful and it exposed "the authoritarian mindset of the government".

Reports says that the body of Geelani was buried early morning on Saturday in a nearby graveyard at Hyderpora. Earlier, according to the Press Trust of India, officials buried Geelani's body and disallowed any mass funeral in anticipation of anti-India protests. Journalists were also barred from covering the funeral.

None of the family members of Syed Ali Shah Geelani was allowed to attend his final rites as state officials "snatched his body and forcibly buried him", reported the Associated Press.

"They snatched his body and forcibly buried him. Nobody from the family was present for his burial. We tried to resist but they overpowered us and even scuffled with women," Naseem Geelani, the son of the veteran pro-Azadi leader, told the news agency.

Internet and communication services were suspended in the Valley and a curfew was imposed across Kashmir. Broadband internet and mobile telephone were restored on Friday evening.

According to media reports, funeral prayers in absentia for Syed Ali Shah Geelani were offered in various countries including Turkey, Pakistan and South Africa.

The death of Geelani has created a void in separatist movements in Kashmir. Political analyst and TV debater Peer Viqar Ul Aslam told Madhyamam that most of the Hurriyat leadership is incarcerated and the challenge is to bring forth a leader who can safely sail the boat ashore.

"It's imperative that the Hurriyat camp stands unified if it had to come out of the current conundrum", added Peer Viqarul, who is also a reporter for Morocco World News and Chairman of Human Rights and Relief Foundation, Kashmir.

"The sad demise of Syed Ali Shah Geelani has come as a setback to the Hurriyat camp, passing away of such a credible leader has left a tall legacy for his successor to reclaim and uphold the integrity of the organization," he said.

When asked about Geelani's influence in the valley he said that to most people in Kashmir, Geelani was Bab (spiritual father) spearheading Kashmir's struggle for right to self-determination.

"He was a religious and political leader of great stature, whose roaring voice echoed in millions of chests across Jammu and Kashmir."

(With inputs from Ubair ul Hameed and Hana Vahab)