Kashmir Digits

Following controversy surrounding Syed Ali Shah Geelani‘s burial Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sought an elaborate report from the J&K police regarding Hurriyat leader’s burial  reported the The Hindu.

Quoting a senior police official, the newspaper said that a report was being prepared “on the ‘sequence of events’ between 10:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the night of September 1-2, the time period when the final rites of Geelani took place in Srinagar’s Hyderpora area under heavy security.”

Geelani’s grave in Hyderpora remains under guard even after over ten days. The Hindu also reported that according to the police sources, “the police had prepared a ‘G-Plan’ — a burial plan for Geelani several years ago, to ensure that the funeral prayers do not turn into a major law and order situation. The police had also worked out a “security corridor” up to the graveyard. Though the police seemed indecisive till the last moment on whether to bury Geelani at the ‘Martyrs’ Graveyard’ as per his wish or at his native place of Dooru in Sopore, Baramulla, or in Hyderpora, Srinagar, the current residence of Geelani.”

Human Rights Body Raises Concern.

It also adds that sources further said a Geneva-based rights organisation has raised the issue of Geelani’s burial with the Indian government.

J&K Police had come under scrutiny for allegedly not allowing proper burial of Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The Police later released videos on Twitter showing ablution and the burial of Geelani being carried out by locals, policemen and a few relatives.

His family was also booked under UAPA for or allegedly wrapping his body in the Pakistani flag

Even 10 days after his death, the cemetery on the Srinagar airport road near Hyderpora continues to have heavy security deployment, with round-the-clock guard. It remains out of bounds for scribes and photojournalists. According to locals, the mosque situated adjacent to the graveyard has also been closed for Friday prayers over the last two weeks.