J&K On Alert As Rumours About Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s Health Trigger Unrest Fears theprint.in

Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir administration has decided to continue its bar on large gatherings or congregations, even for funerals, in the Valley amid rumours about the deteriorating health of separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Geelani, 90, who heads the hardline wing of the Hurriyat Conference, has been under house arrest for over a decade. Security outside his Hyderpora residence was further bolstered in August when hundreds of Jammu & Kashmir politicians were detained after the state was stripped of its special status and bifurcated into two union territories.

The decision to keep large gatherings barred comes after the administration held review meetings with security agencies and police last week. Sources privy to the government’s efforts to maintain law and order did not negate the possibility of curfew-like restrictions and another communication blackout. Over the past two weeks, there has been speculation in Kashmir over Geelani’s health, which has rung alarm bells within the security establishment. There are fears that the rumours may lead to law-and-order conflagrations in Kashmir amid resentment over the Article 370 decision. The emergence of similar rumours on social media prompted the security agencies to start building a stronger firewall to prevent local residents from using blacklisted websites through VPNs or virtual private networks.