Unwell Geelani denied medical aid: family

The family of Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani says the 83-year-old separatist leader has taken ill and he is being denied medical aid. The family has demanded that Geelani should be shifted to Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar.

"He is ill and has become very weak," Geelani's younger son Naseem Geelani told The Indian Express. "He (Geelani) should be immediately shifted to Srinagar so that the family can take care of him".  

Naseem said despite being advised a regular and long morning or evening walk by the doctors, Geelani is not allowed to move out of his residence. "He has undergone eight surgeries. He is suffering from chronic bronchitis, prostrate problem, eye problem and is on a pacemaker," Geelani's son said. "As such doctors have advised him a long walk at least once a day. But since he is not allowed to move out of his house, he has grown weak."

Geelani's son said the family has no direct contact with him and they are informed about his health through indirect messages. "He is not being allowed even to use a cell phone," Naseem said. "Our sister, who is putting up in Delhi occasionally visits him and informs us about his health. Our mother who is also there is unwell too".

Geelani, who is in Delhi, was put under a strict house arrest immediately after the hanging of Parliament attack-convict Afzal Guru in Tihar jail on February 9. Soon after the hanging, a posse of Geelani arrived at Geelani's Malviya Nagar residence and put him under house arrest. The family says police snatched his cell phones and do not allow anyone in or out of the house. The family also says the personnel of Delhi Police have intruded into Geelani's privacy and stay in the home.

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