SRINAGAR: The raids and arrests of separatist leaders by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Jammu and Kashmir has isolated hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani.
The NIA has arrested Geelani’s two sons, Nayeem Geelani and Naseem Geelani, son-in-law Altaf Ahmad Shah alias Altaf Fantoosh, close associates Muhammad Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah and Mehrajuddin Kalwal.
The 87-year-old Geelani is only being attended by his office boy at his Hyderpora residence now, said Daanish Bin Nabi, who managed to meet Geelani the other day. Geelani’s residence and the office of his party, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, present a deserted look as most of his party leaders and close associates have been arrested.
Geelani, who favours Kashmir’s merger with Pakistan, is under house detention at his residence in the outskirts of Srinagar since 2010. The restrictions were eased in November 2013 but were reimposed after he addressed rallies in the Valley.
A contingent of police and paramilitary personnel always remains deployed outside his residence to bar him from moving out. They don’t allow anybody except his family members and doctors to visit him.
On some occasions, the authorities have eased restrictions only to allow him to undergo medical check-ups at hospitals.
“Geelani is not keeping well because of his isolation and old-age factor,” said Daanish and added that except for the office boy and a dentist, who had come to treat Geelani, he did not see anybody else at his house.
“He used to be surrounded by his family members, close associates, well wishers and youth,” said a separatist leader. The leader said the NIA raids and arrests, especially of his sons, son-in-law and close aides have deeply affected him.
According to him, after the raids and arrests, people including his close acquaintances were reluctant to visit him.
Zakir Musa trapped?
Al-Qaeda Kashmir chief Zakir Musa is trapped in a village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district after security forces cordoned off the area to flush out the terrorist on Friday, according to agency reports. A search was underway in Norpora in Tral.