SRINAGAR: Syed Ali Geelani is no more. He has passed away later this evening, a family source said. He was 92
Geelani, who founded Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, was unwell for a long time. However, for the last more than a year, he was suffering from dementia and had grown hugely fragile and weak. He died at around 10:35 pm owing to “breathing complications”.
Geelani was born on September 29, 1929. He was going to be 92 later this month.
The family has got into instant mourning. No details were immediately known about the funeral. Earlier, the family had said he will be laid to rest in Hyderpora, not far away from his residence. Though belonging to a Sopore village, Hyderpora has remained Geelani’s adopted home for most of the last 35 years. He remained restricted to his home since 2010 and was permitted hospital visits and immediate family mournings only.
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 & standing by his beliefs. May Allah Ta’aala grant him jannat & condolences to his family & well wishers.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 1, 2021
A separatist leader, Geelani was basically a Jamaat-e-Islami leader heading its political bureau. He represented Sopore in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly thrice in 1972, 1977 and in 1987.
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Later, he would represent Jamat in the Hurriyat Conference till he came out of Jamat and Hurriyat and founded his own party. In June 2020, he quit Hurriyat’s leadership for health reasons. He was mostly bed-ridden because he was suffering from various ailments. He had survived kidney cancer in 2003 when one of his kidneys was removed. He had a pacemaker implant in 1997. In March 2018, he survived a minor heart attack.
Heartfelt condolences to the family of Syed Ali Shah Geelani Sahib. Was an esteemed colleague of my late father. May Allah grant him Jannat.
— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) September 1, 2021
Apart from his wife, Geelani is survived by his two sons, Dr Nayeem Geelani, a medical doctor, and Naseem Geelani, a teacher at SKUAST, besides his four daughters.
Meanwhile, newsgathering agency ANI quoted Kashmir Police Chief, Vijay Kumar saying that restrictions are being imposed and the internet services are being suspended.
The security grid has started enforcing restrictions in Srinagar and other places across Kashmir. Drop gates have emerged within minutes as massive deployments are around.
Details are being collected.
