Srinagar, Sep 03:  Hurriyat Conference led by incarcerated chairman Mirwaiz Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq Friday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of veteran and octogenarian separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani who “passed away after a prolonged house arrest” on Wednesday.

In a statement issued here, the Hurriyat paid glowing tributes to Syed Ali Shah Geelani for his immense contribution and sacrifices on political and resistance fronts saying the demise of Geelani Sahib has not only created a big void in the political corridors of Jammu and Kashmir but also marked the completion of an era.

The statement said that with the inception of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) in 1992 under the leadership of young Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to represent the emotions and sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Syed Ali Geelani Sahib extended every possible and sincere support to the young Mirwaiz to take forward the mission and programmes of the Hurriyat.

“The APHC paid homage to the veteran resistance leader for his consistency, steadfastness and courage and enduring time and again imprisonments and tortures in interrogation centres, saying the continuous house imprisonment of Geelani Sahib despite his old age and various ailments became reasons for his ill health which ultimately led to his demise,” the statementsaid.

The Hurriyat Conference on behalf of its Chairman Mirwaiz Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq and the entire leadership has expressed heartfelt condolence and solidarity with the bereaved family of Geelani Sahib especially his sons Naseem Geelani and Naeem Geelani; and prayed for Jannat-ul-Firdous to the departed soul.

The APHC termed it unfortunate that its Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has spent a long time with Syed Ali Geelani Sahib in his political journey, could not participate in the Namaaz-e-Janaazah (funeral prayers) of the deceased leader as he continues to be under house arrest for more than two years now.