Syed Ali Shah Geelani was buried Thursday in the midst of a great drama, hours after his death.
Srinagar:
A series of videos showing the funeral of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has been posted on social media by Jammu and Kashmir police. The 92-year-old received a quiet burial.
The videos were released following rumors that he was buried without the necessary ablution and wrapping after police forcibly took his body to his family. Geelani was buried before dawn and his family was unable to perform the last rites.
Images of the cemetery during the burial of SAS Geelani. pic.twitter.com/ndvcHx5xtG
– Kashmir Police (@KashmirPolice) September 6, 2021
One of the videos shows a group of people cleaning the body and surrounding it. Funeral prayers followed and the body was lowered to the grave in Hyderpora Cemetery, a few hundred meters from the residence of the late leader.
Police, however, defended the move saying the family had initially agreed to a nightly burial, but later changed their mind by forcing the hand of the police.
After the death of SAS Geelani, IGP Kashmir Shri Vijay Kumar, along with SP & ASP, met with their children at their residence at 23:00, condoled them and asked for burial at night for greater interest from the general public due to possible major L&O situations. They both agreed and asked (1/4)
– Kashmir Area Police (@KashmirPolice) September 6, 2021
“However, three hours later, probably under pressure from Pakistan and criminals, they behaved differently and began resorting to anti-national activities, including wrapping the body with a Pakistani flag, making strong slogans in favor of the Pakistan and urge neighbors to come, ”a Kashmir Zone Police tweeted Monday.
On Sunday, police had filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act to Prevent Illegal Activities Against Some Relatives of Geelani for wrapping his body with a Pakistani flag.
“After the persuasion, the relatives took the body to the cemetery and performed the last rites with due respect to members of the Intizamia committee and the local imam. The refusal of the two children to come to the cemetery indicated their loyalty to the Pakistani agenda instead of his love and respect for his dead father, “tweeted police.
The family has alleged that the police broke down the doors, mistreated the members and forcibly took Mr. Geelani’s body. A series of videos showing police action has gone viral on social media and messaging platforms.
While some questioned the justification for police to post videos of their version of the incidents four days later, others criticized them for filming the rites in the first place.
Earlier, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti and Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq criticized the government for “mistreating” Geelani’s body.
“From the videos I saw and the statements of Geelani’s family, it is unfortunate that the body has been abused and desecrated,” Mufti said.
“It is sad that a dead man has not been treated with dignity. We cannot avenge the politics of a dead man’s body,” the PDP chief said. The last wish of a convict about to be hanged is even respected, he said.
Farooq expressed sadness at the alleged treatment of Mr. Geelani’s family.
“It’s painful and frightening. It’s so tragically inhumane when a family is denied the basic right to bury their loved one and you can only imagine why the family has passed away,” the conference president said. Hurriyat.
For the past four days, a restless calm has prevailed. Restrictions on most parts of Kashmir have even been lifted. Police said, however, that mobile internet will remain suspended in Srinagar until tomorrow.