The body of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who died of cardiac arrest on March 28, was brought to his residence in Ghazipur from Banda for funeral on Saturday amid heavy security, the police said. The ambulance carrying the body was accompanied by police vehicles to ensure security along the 400-kilometre-long route via several districts of Uttar Pradesh.
A convoy of 26 vehicles carrying the gangster’s body left for Ghazipur at 5.45 pm after postmortem at the Rani Durgavati Medical College, Banda. As per police officials, Mukhtar Ansari's son Umar Ansari and Abbas Ansari's wife and their two cousins were present inside the ambulance carrying the body.
Last rites today
The state government had in advance chalked out the route for taking the body following the gangster's death due to cardiac arrest on Thursday. On the way to Ghazipur, the convoy passed through districts including Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Kaushambi and Varanasi before reaching Ghazipur.
The burial took place in Ghazipur. A grave was dug at the family cemetery at Mohammadabad's Kali Bagh in Ghazipur.
Gangster-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin's son Osama reached Mohammadabad in Ghazipur district to take part in the burial rituals of Mukhtar Ansari.
People in large numbers took part in the funeral procession of Mukhtar Ansari in Mohammadabad, Ghazipur.
Chaos erupted during the burial rites of Mukhtar Ansari after his supporters broke the barricading in order to enter the cemetery ground.
Security heightened
Security was heightened outside the residence of Mukhtar Ansari in Gazipur, ahead of his last rites.
Samajwadi Party MLA and nephew of Mukhtar Ansari, Mohammad Suhaib Ansari, urged the people to maintain decorum and said that everyone will get a chance to get his last glimpse.
"Preparations are being done for the last rites. everyone will get the chance to see him. I request all present here to maintain the decorum..." he said.
Meanwhile, security arrangements were also tightened in surrounding districts, including Mau.
After the conclusion of the rituals, Mukhtar Ansari's brother Afzal Ansari said, "Everything has been concluded peacefully."
(With PTI inputs)
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