Mehbooba criticises Centre for FIR over draping of Geelani’s body in Pak flag

Mehbooba Mufti said that Kashmir has been turned into an “open-air prison” and the dead aren’t scared

Former chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday accused the Centre of “ruthlessness” for booking the family members of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani under various provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Earlier, former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti had hit out at government over the restrictions imposed following Geelani’s death and said that such measures create a sense of subjugation (HT File)

Geelani (91) passed away late on September 1 at his Srinagar residence after a prolonged illness.

On Saturday, the Budgam police registered the FIR against family members of the deceased leader under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code, taking cognisance of a viral video clip that purportedly showed Geelani’s body draped in a Pakistani flag. The body was laid to rest at a graveyard in a nearby mosque

“Police Station Budgam has registered a general FIR against miscreants and other elements who raised anti-national slogans and resorted to other anti-national activities putting the Pakistani flag over them after the separatist leader’s death at his home,”Jammu and Kashmir Police were quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Criticising the FIR, Mufti tweeted: “... A family isn’t allowed to mourn & bid a final farewell as per their wishes. Booking Geelani sahab’s family under UAPA shows GOI’s deep-rooted paranoia & ruthlessness.”