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Geelani, the hardliner who led the Hurriyat Conference (APHC) of all political parties, died in his residence in Srinagar after a long illness.
India-controlled Kashmir Srinagar – Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the supreme separatist leader in the Indian-controlled Kashmir region, died at the age of 92 after a long illness.
Geelani, who withdrew from politics in June last year, died at his residence in the main city of Srinagar.
He led the hardliners of all parties in the Hurriyat Conference (APHC), a separatist coalition that rejected Indian rule and demanded the merger of Kashmir and Pakistan. He has long refused to engage in any dialogue with India on the future of the region.
After the region abolished Article 370, which gave Kashmir a special status on August 5, 2019, Gilani was confined at home due to physical weakness.
His family said that the elderly politician has been sick for many years and has been under house arrest for the past 12 years after leading several anti-India protests.
Within hours after the news of his death was announced, a large number of police and paramilitary troops in riot gear were deployed outside Geelani’s home. Restrictions have been implemented in the region, and mobile Internet services have been disrupted.
A police official told Al Jazeera that only family members and “a few neighbors can attend the funeral.”
Kashmir was partitioned by India and Pakistan, both of which claimed full sovereignty. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the goal of unifying the territory under Pakistani rule or as an independent state.
Indian officials described the Kashmir rebellion as “terrorism” supported by Pakistan. Pakistan denies this accusation, and most Kashmiris believe it is a legitimate freedom struggle.
Since the outbreak of an armed rebellion against Indian rule in 1989, tens of thousands of civilians, insurgents and government forces have been killed in the conflict.
Condolences
Mehbooba Mufti, the former chief minister of Kashmir, expressed condolences for the leader’s death.
“I am sad about the news of Geelani sahab’s death. We may not agree on most things, but I respect his firmness and persistence in his beliefs,” Mufti wrote on Twitter.
Kashmiri novelist and journalist Mirzawahid said that Gilani will continue to be a “persistent icon of resistance to tyranny.”
Rest in peace, Sayarisha Aguilarni.
You will always be a lasting idol against tyranny. pic.twitter.com/hhUjdPyHw3— Mirza Waheed (@MirzaWaheed) September 1, 2021
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan also paid tribute to Gilani and said that the country will hold a day of mourning.
“Kashmir freedom fighter Syed Ali Geelani has passed away. He is deeply saddened. He has been fighting for the people and their right to self-determination all his life. He was imprisoned and imprisoned by the occupying power of India. Torture, but still resolute,” Khan wrote on Twitter.
“We pay tribute to his brave struggle in Pakistan and remember his words:’Hum Pakistani hain aur Pakistan Humara hai’ [‘We are Pakistan and Pakistan is ours’]The Pakistani flag is lowered at half mast, and we will hold a formal day of mourning. “
Geelani was awarded Nishan-e-Pakistan, Pakistan’s highest civilian honor in 2020, which was awarded to Nelson Mandela, Richard Nixon, and Fidel Castro among others.
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