Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, 91, died on Wednesday, prompting the Indian government to tighten security in the Valley and impose restrictions, including the suspension of internet services.
According to his family, the pro-Pakistani separatist, who advocated for Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) accession with Pakistan, passed away at his home in Srinagar. Geelani had been under house arrest for over a decade and was battling severe breathing problems and dementia.
Fearing that his death might attract large crowds and trigger protests, the Indian government tightened security across Kashmir. According to the J&K Police, thousands of troops have been deployed in the region, and the road leading to Geelani’s residence was set up with barricades and barbed wires. “There will be restrictions here on Thursday. Only family members and the locals will be allowed to participate [in the last rites]. No outsider will be allowed. People should not make any attempt to come here,” J&K Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said, adding that restrictions included the “suspension of internet services in the Valley.”
Police sources told The Hindu that security arrangements were being made for Geelani’s final rites, ensuring that only family members and locals attend his funeral. Geelani desired to be buried at the ‘Martyrs Graveyard’ in Srinagar, where most militants and separatist leaders are buried. However, The Indian Express mentioned that the government is unlikely to allow Geelani’s burial at the graveyard.
Meanwhile, Mehbooba Mufti, former J&K chief minister and leader of the People’s Democratic Party, said she was “saddened” by Geelani’s death. “We may not have agreed on most things, but I respect him for his steadfastness and standing by his beliefs,” she noted.
Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan also took to Twitter to express his grief about Geelani’s passing. Khan said he was “deeply saddened” by Geelani’s death and called him a “freedom fighter […] who struggled all his life for his people and their right to self-determination.” He also said that the people of Pakistan “salute his courageous struggle” and added that the Pakistani flag “will fly at half-mast and we will observe a day of official mourning” on Thursday.
Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Geelani who struggled all his life for his people & their right to self determination. He suffered incarceration & torture by the Occupying Indian state but remained resolute.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 1, 2021
A self-proclaimed Pakistan supporter, Geelani was a three-time elected legislator from Kashmir’s Sopore and was one of the seven founding members of the Hurriyat Conference formed in 1993 to advocate for J&K’s secession from India. As the Hurriyat’s hawkish faction leader, Geelani refused dialogue with the Indian government, supported militancy, and pushed for J&K’s accession to Pakistan. His party has also been accused by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) of receiving funds from Pakistan and fuelling unrest in the Valley.
Geelani’s death comes days after speculation of a ban on his Hurriyat faction beset by troubles following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and a crackdown by the NIA.