Political News: Central, state forces cordon Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s burial site to foil protests

More than 30 police and paramilitary vehicles have been deployed in a 500-metre radius around the grave of former separatist leader and Hurriyat Conference chairman, the late Syed Ali Shah Geelani. This is to avoid mass gathering and the erection of a memorial by his followers. Security personnel have been stationed in all the lanes leading to the place where the 92-year-old Geelani was laid to rest on September 2.

He has been buried on the lawns of Jama Majid, located on the airport road in Hyderpora area, which is also a few hundred meters from Geelani’s residence in Rehmatabad area. The Jammu and Kashmir administration, fearing a massive gathering, buried Geelani during night.

The central forces have also placed a mine protected vehicle (MPV) in one of the lanes near the grave. The view of the grave has also been blocked by a green shade net on one of the walls of the graveyard. The forces have been directed not to allow anybody to go near the grave. They have also prohibited people from clicking any pictures, even from a distance. On the airport road near the grave, the authorities have also placed a few buses, which could transport protesters in case of any protest gathering.

“We have been told that protests can happen anytime. This is why you see heavy deployment in the area,” a CRPF personnel deployed near the grave, told ET.

According to the police, barricades and vehicles have been placed in the lane leading to the residence of Geelani, in Rehmatabad area, a few hundred meters from the grave. Police officials, including female officers, allow only permanent residents and a few close relatives of Geelani to enter the lane.

A senior government official said, “The graveyard where Geelani has been buried is being secured by central forces. They will continue to remain deployed along with the local police to avoid any law and order situation in the coming days.”

Geelani’s family has accused the administration of denying them the right of burial. However, the police have rejected the allegations and booked his family under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for raising anti-India slogans and engaging in anti-national activities like wrapping Geelani’s body in a Pakistani flag.