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

Srinagar: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday flayed the central government for the filing of an FIR over the draping of hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s body in a Pakistani flag and the alleged raising of “anti-national” slogans after his death.The Budgam Police registered the FIR against unnamed people under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code, taking cognisance of a video clip which showed Geelani’s body draped in a Pakistani flag.However, as the police moved in to take over the body, the late separatist leader’s aides removed the flag.Geelani, 91, died Wednesday night at his residence here after a prolonged illness. The body was laid to rest at a graveyard in a nearby mosque.Criticising the filing of the FIR, Mehbooba tweeted, “Having turned Kashmir into an open air prison, now even the dead aren’t spared. 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. This is New India’s Naya Kashmir.”