Friday dawned with closed shutters lining the streets of Mohammadabad Yusufpur in Ghazipur district, Uttar Pradesh. This silence draped over the township was in reverence to the passing of Mukhtar Ansari, the infamous figure who transitioned from a gangster to a politician, succumbing to a sudden cardiac arrest the previous day.
As the day unfolded, preparations were underway to transport Ansari's mortal remains to his birthplace for the final rites. The anticipation hung heavy in the air, marked by a significant deployment of security personnel to ensure order prevailed amidst the somber atmosphere.
Locals, adorned with a mix of emotions, congregated, awaiting the arrival of the five-time MLA's body. Ansari's abrupt deterioration in health had prompted his swift transfer from Banda jail to a hospital on Thursday, where he breathed his last during treatment.
A designated resting place awaited Ansari in the familial burial ground at Kali Bagh. Circle Officer Atar Singh and Inspector Pawan Kumar Upadhyaya confirmed the preparations, stating that if the body reached by 10 pm, the last rites would commence that evening; otherwise, they would be deferred to Saturday morning.
Several kilometers away, in Banda, Ansari's post-mortem unfolded. The journey to Ghazipur spanned multiple districts, including Fatehpur, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, and Varanasi, before reaching its final destination. Naseem Haider, Ansari's legal representative, speculated a late-night arrival in Ghazipur.
In a bid for transparency, Ansari's son, Umar, penned a letter to the Banda district magistrate, questioning the circumstances of his father's demise and urging for a post-mortem at AIIMS, Delhi. "We harbor no trust in the local administration or medical team," Umar asserted in his plea.
While political adversaries seized the moment to comment on Ansari's demise, labeling it as a reckoning for past deeds, sympathizers poured into Mohammadabad Yusufpur, expressing solidarity with the grieving family.
Former BSP unit chief Gulab Ram and Ward Councillor Lohatia Sanjeev Kumar Gihar echoed sentiments of mourning, attributing the closure of shops to genuine empathy rather than mere advisories.
Reflecting on the tumultuous past, Anand Rai, nephew of the slain BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai, remarked, "this is divine justice," alluding to the 2005 incident where Ansari faced accusations in Rai's murder.
Security measures escalated across neighboring districts, with Mau, Ghazipur, Ballia, and surrounding areas placed under strict vigilance. Bhadohi witnessed tightened security along national highways in anticipation of Ansari's final journey.
With every precautionary measure in place, officials remained on high alert, ensuring a seamless passage for Ansari's cortege. District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar and Additional Superintendent of Police Durga Prasad Tiwari reiterated the readiness of administrative and law enforcement agencies.
In a separate discourse, Shivpal Singh Yadav of the SP, contesting from Badaun, demanded judicial scrutiny into Ansari's demise, citing suspicions surrounding the circumstances. Yadav emphasized his longstanding ties with Ansari's family, advocating for judicial intervention given their historical contributions to the nation's freedom struggle.
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