Abdul Gani Lone (/ˈɑːbdʊl ˈɡɑːni ˈloʊn/ AHB-duul GAH-nee LOHN; 6 May 1932 – 21 May 2002) was a Kashmiri-separatist political leader.
Abdul Gani Lone | |
|---|---|
| Former Cabinet Minister of Education and Health (J&K) | |
| Chief Minister | Syed Mir Qasim |
| Former Deputy Minister of, Law, Irrigation, Flood control, Animal husbandry and Power | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 May 1932 Dard Harie, Jammu & Kashmir, British India |
| Died | 21 May 2002 (aged 70) Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Manner of death | Assassination |
| Political party | Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference |
| Other political affiliations | People's Conference Azad |
| Children | Bilal Lone Sajjad Lone Shabnam Gani Lone |
| Occupation | lawyer, Politician |
Life
editLone was born in Dard Harie in the Kralpora tehsil of the Kupwara District of the princely state of Kashmir and Jammu in British India into a Kashmiri Muslim family. He earned a law degree from Aligarh Muslim University in 1957.[1]
His sons Bilal Lone and Sajjad Lone are Kashmiri politicians. Sajjad Lone was member of the Legislative Assembly. His daughter Shabnam Gani Lone is a lawyer at the Supreme Court of India,[2] while his eldest daughter Safiya Lone, a teacher by profession, died on 22 October 2017.
On 10 April 2021, his colleague and good friend Mohd Amin Wani died due to cardiac arrest.[3]
Career
editHe made his entry into politics serving in the state assembly as a Congress candidate in 1967. In 1978, he formed a Kashmiri separatist organization called People's Conference dedicated to "the restoration of 'internal autonomy' in Kashmir."[citation needed]
Death
editLone and his guards were gunned down by two young assassins before they threw grenades and escaped on 21 May 2002 while commemorating the twelfth anniversary of the death of Kashmiri leader, Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq. Eyewitnesses said that earlier in the day a group of youths arrived at the Idgah, shouting pro-Pakistan slogans, and two of them fired on Lone.[4]
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah expressed sorrow over the killing of Lone and held Pakistan responsible for the episode, saying, "Pakistan wants Kashmir and so is desperate in its action, which this killing has proved." Then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee said, "Mr. Lone was assassinated because he was working for peace in Jammu and Kashmir."[4]
His son Sajjad Lone accused separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Pakistani spy agency ISI of being responsible for his father's death, but he later altered his accusation, reportedly at the suggestion of his mother, [citation needed] blaming Abdullah for providing inadequate security to his father.[5][6]
The United States condemned the assassination, with Secretary of State Colin Powell issuing a statement recognizing Lone as moderate who sought a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Hurriyat Leader Lone Shot Dead". www.outlookindia.com. Outlook magazine. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ Shabnam Lone, Outlook, 23 May 2002.
- ^ @sajadlone (10 April 2021). "Advocate Mohd Amin Sahib of Kukroosa passed away. He was a colleague of my late father and a renowned social and political leader of our area.I offer my condolences to the bereaved family. May Allah grant Jannat" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 July 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b "lone shot dead". The Tribune. 22 May 2002. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- ^ "'White-collar' men killed Abdul Ghani Lone: Sons". Hindustan Times. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- ^ Thousands mourn Kashmiri separatist
- ^ Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, U.S. Department of State, 31 March 2003, Retrieved 14 January 2012