Geelani expresses grief over Mufti's demise

Srinagar, Jan 7: Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani today expressed sorrow over the demise of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who passed away this morning in New Delhi.

Geelani extended his condolences to the bereaved family of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed following his death, which is the undeniable truth of every person, a spokesman of the hardline Hurriyat said.

Sayeed, 79, breathed his last at AIIMS this morning after remaining on ventilator for the past few days. Sayeed, who was Chief Minister from 2002 to 2005 in coalition with Congress, played a leading part in PDP and BJP coming together to form the first ever coalition involving the saffron party in the state.

The mortal remains of Sayeed were flown in a special Indian Air Force plane to Srinagar and are likely to be buried at his ancestral village in Bijbehara in South Kashmir.

PTI