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Slain All-Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Abdul Gani Lone was on Wednesday laid to rest in downtown Idgah ground in Srinagar amid tight security as Kashmir valley observed a near total strike to protest his assassination as also the visit of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Lone's body was taken from his Rawalpura residence in a vehicle for burial at the Shaheed Mazar in Idgah maidan where he fell to assassins' bullets on Tuesday evening.
An estimated 10,000 strong crowd walked the 12 km route from his residence to the graveyard shouting pro-Pakistan and pro-independence slogans.
Alleging Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah's hand behind the killing, the processionists demanded that the culprits be brought to book.
People climbed on rooftops near the burial grounds to have a last glimpse of the moderate leader.
Senior Hurriyat leaders accompanied Lone on his last journey even as the state government mounted tight security arrangements with sharp shooters perched atop high buildings overlooking the graveyard.
Earlier Reports: Lone's burial today; Srinagar tense 'Guns silenced a reasonable, moderate voice' BJP blames Pakistan for Lone's killing Pak blames India for Lone's killing Advani condemns Lone's killing Lone's killing a bid to disrupt J&K poll process: Swami Farooq expresses sorrow over Lone's killing US saddened by Lone's death
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