SRINAGAR, Sept 1 : Veteran separatist leader and former chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani passed away at his residence in Hyderpora area of Srinagar this evening after prolonged illness.
The 92-year-old separatist leader was not keeping well for a long time and passed away this evening after developing complications.
A family member said that Geelani developed serious complications today afternoon and breathed his last this evening. “He had chest congestion and breathing problems. He passed away at 10:30 pm,” he added.
Administration has imposed restrictions across Kashmir valley and internet has been shut down as a precautionary measure.
“Restrictions imposed include suspension of internet services in Valley,” Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar said here.
Another senior police officer has asked people to stay indoors as there will be no movement of people allowed tomorrow due to demise of Geelani.
The roads leading to Geelani’s residence at Hyderpora have been sealed and no movement is being allowed in the area.
There is still confusion about the burial of Geelani. However, an official said that only close family members will be allowed to attend his funeral and he will be buried in a nearby graveyard in Hyderpora.
However, initially there was a plan that his body may be taken to his ancestral graveyard in a Sopore village of North Kashmir under tight security and close family members will be allowed to participate in his last rites.
Geelani was previously a key 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, the Hurriyat Conference split on the questions of its future strategies, the role of militancy, and dialogue. Subsequently, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat came into existence and Geelani became head of the breakaway faction of 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.
Before becoming staunch separatist figure, Geelani was an MLA from Sopore constituency and had won in 1972. He won in the Assembly polls from the same constituency in 1977 and 1987.
Geelani, was born on 29th September 1929 in Zurimanz village of North Kashmir’s Sopore area.
President of People’s Democratic Party and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has 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 grant him Jannat and condolences to his family and well wishers,”, Mehbooba tweeted.
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.”