Mukhtar Ansari Laid to Rest: Funeral Procession and Tight Security in Ghazipur
Former Gangster Turned Politician Buried at Kali Bagh Burial Site
On Saturday, Mukhtar Ansari, a former gangster who became a politician, was buried at Ghazipur's Kali Bagh burial place.
A grave was excavated on Friday at the family's ancient burial cemetery, which is around 0.5 mile from their home. Elaborate security measures were put in place outside Ansari's home and the burial site by the local government.
On Thursday, Ansari passed away after a heart attack. According to family sources, his corpse was transported to his birthplace on Friday night around midnight, and the funeral rites were performed there.
His brother Afzal Ansari and son Umar Ansari led the family procession that carried the remains to the Kali Bagh burial site. The parade was joined by a sizable throng, some of whom also held up signs.
The mob attempted to push its way into the burial cemetery, where entrance was prohibited, and police had a difficult time controlling them. Paramilitary and other security forces were stationed in full strength around the Ansari mansion and the burial site.
O P Singh, the DIG of the Varanasi Range, said that there was enough police presence everywhere.
The Ansari household is assisting law enforcement. According to the police officer, people have been arriving since Friday night, and notifications have been made to make sure there is never an overcrowded situation.
Suhaib Ansari, the nephew of Mukhtar Ansari and a Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA, posted on X on Friday and said, "My uncle Mukhtar Ansari passed away last night." He will be laid to rest at our Yusufpur Mohammadabad (Ghazipur) Kali Bagh cemetery tomorrow at 10 am. We ask that you all offer prayers for the pardon of the departed. When Mukhtar Ansari's condition worsened on Thursday night, he was taken from the Banda prison to the Rani Durgawati Medical College. During his hospital stay, he passed away.
Following the post-mortem on Friday, Ansari's remains was driven in a convoy under strict security from Banda to his home in Ghazipur. Police cars followed the 400-kilometer ambulance carrying the corpse as it passed through many districts in Uttar Pradesh.
