Iconic Kashmiri leader Ali Geelani laid to rest amidst curfew

Veteran Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Geelani was laid to rest early Thursday morning in Srinagar amidst heavy deployment of Indian occupation force who had earlier also snatched the body from the family.

Hitting a new low, the occupying forces raided the residence of the late Kashmiri leader and snatched the mortal remains despite being told by the family, that as per his will they would bury the leader in the “Cemetery of Martyrs” in Srinagar.

However, the raiding party told the family that India would not allow his burial at the place of his choosing rather buried him in tight military siege at Haiderpora in Srinagar early Thursday morning.

“Geelani was buried at 4:30 am Thursday at a cemetery near his home in the main city of Srinagar. Only a small number of his relatives were present, including two of his sons,” AFP reported quoting police source.

After the death became known, announcements were made from loudspeakers of the main mosque near Geelani’s residence asking people to march towards the house. But police said no one in the Kashmir Valley would be allowed to leave their homes, according to AFP.

In order to avert the expected mass mourning, the occupation authorities had put strict restrictions on the movement of the people and the whole area was cordoned off.

The curfew has been imposed in the valley and all internet services snapped.

Several Hurriyat leaders and activists including Mukhtar Ahmad Waza have been rounded up by the Indian authorities as well.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has also appealed to the people of Kashmir to come out of their homes and hold large protest against the cruelty of Modi regime.

The APHC has asked people to hold funerals in absentia everywhere in the occupied territory. The appeal has also been made to the Kashmiri and Pakistani diaspora and people all across the globe to hold protests and offer funeral prayers in absentia.