Pakistan’s flag fly at half mast to mourn Syed Ali Geelani’s death
Pakistan strongly condemned the “snatching of the mortal remains” of iconic Kashmiri leader and former chief of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Syed Ali Geelani, “from his family by Indian occupation forces”.
Geelani, who died on Wednesday aged 92, was buried in a quiet funeral at a local graveyard organized by authorities under harsh restrictions. Soon after the news of his demise broke, Indian authorities imposed a strict curfew in the valley and suspended all internet services.
His son, Naseem Geelani, told the AP that Indian forces “snatched his body and forcibly buried him. Nobody from the family was present for his burial.” He added that “we tried to resist but they overpowered us and even scuffled with women”.
When the family was preparing for the last rites of Syed Geelani, a heavy contingent of the Indian troops raided his residence in Srinagar, harassed the family members and snatched Syed Geelani’s body.
India did not allow Syed Geelani’s burial at the Cemetery of Martyrs in Srinagar – the place where he wished to be buried.
The “Government of India is so afraid of Syed Geelani and what he stood for that they have now resorted to this inhuman act even after his passing away. This shows the degree of callousness on part of the Occupation Forces and demonstrates beyond doubt that India would trample all civil and human values in perpetuating its occupation of IIOJK.”
Pakistan urged the international community to “take serious note of this unprecedented and egregious situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and hold India to account for its breaches of the international human rights and humanitarian laws.”