Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who passed away from a cardiac arrest, was laid to rest at the Kali Bagh burial ground in Ghazipur on Saturday.
His body was transported to the family's ancestral burial ground, approximately half a kilometre from their residence, where a grave had been prepared on Friday adjacent to that of Mukhtar Ansari's parents. The local administration established elaborate security arrangements outside Ansari's residence and the burial ground.
Ansari's demise occurred on Thursday. Family sources stated that his body arrived in his hometown around midnight on Friday, and the pre-burial rituals were conducted at the residence.
Reports indicate that a funeral procession commenced from his ancestral home, with his elder brother Afzal Ansari, a Member of Parliament, his son Omar Ansari, nephew Suhaib Ansari (an MLA), and other family members and supporters participating. The procession was accompanied by a sizable crowd, with some individuals chanting slogans. Upon reaching the cemetery, Afzal Ansari urged the crowd to maintain peace. Mukhtar Ansari's elder brother, former MLA Sibgatullah Ansari, also attended the funeral.
However, Mukhtar Ansari's elder son and MLA Abbas Ansari was unable to attend the funeral as he was detained in Kasganj jail in connection with criminal cases.
As local resident Ravindra Singh stated, the funeral procession encountered delays in reaching the burial ground in Mohammadabad due to the large accompanying crowd.
Police faced challenges in managing the crowd, which attempted to gain entry into the restricted burial ground. Varanasi Zone Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Piyush Mordia was present in Mohammadabad to oversee the arrangements.
According to DIG of Varanasi Range, O P Singh, sufficient police personnel were deployed throughout the area, with the Ansari family cooperating with the authorities. Residents began gathering in the vicinity from Friday night, and announcements were made to prevent overcrowding, Singh added.
"Before Mukhtar Ansari was laid to rest, Namaz-e-Janaza was offered near the house and later at the nearby Prince Maidan," Singh said.
When asked about certain individuals in the crowd chanting slogans, Singh mentioned that Mukhtar Ansari's family members had provided a list of 40 to 50 people permitted to remain at the Kali Bagh cemetery during the burial. The others were halted after the prayers. Singh said that there was complete peace.
Personnel from the police, Provincial Armed Constabulary, and paramilitary forces were stationed at all key locations. As the crowd grew, additional security personnel were dispatched to the area.
An official from the police headquarters stated that stringent security measures had been implemented to ensure peace during the funeral.
In a post on X on Friday, Samajwadi Party MLA and Mukhtar Ansari's nephew Suhaib Ansari said, "My uncle Mukhtar Ansari passed away last night. Tomorrow, at 10 am, he will be buried in our Kali Bagh graveyard of Yusufpur Mohammadabad (Ghazipur). All of you are requested to pray for the forgiveness of the deceased." Mukhtar Ansari, who was lodged in the Banda jail, was rushed to the Rani Durgawati Medical College on Thursday night when his health deteriorated. He died at the hospital during treatment.
Following the post-mortem on Friday, a convoy transporting Ansari's remains departed from Banda towards his hometown in Ghazipur under tight security. The ambulance carrying the body was escorted by police vehicles throughout the 400-kilometre journey across various districts of Uttar Pradesh.
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