SRINAGAR: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Monday urged authorities not to harass young people in Kashmir and allow them to participate freely in the August 15 celebrations, saying they had “suffered enough” over the years.
“Even those who may have been involved in activities in the past have suffered enough over the years and should be given an opportunity to move forward and lead a peaceful and dignified life,” Bukhari told reporters on the sidelines of a party workers’ convention at Wailoo Tangmarg.
Responding to questions about possible security threats ahead of Independence Day, Bukhari said vigilance remained necessary as attempts could be made to disturb the prevailing peace.
“Our enemy will certainly try to disrupt the prevailing peace and calm, but with our vigilance and collective resolve, we have to foil any such attempt,” he said.
On the restoration of statehood, Bukhari said the Apni Party would continue with its strategy of engaging with New Delhi.
He said the party had adopted a similar approach in 2020 when it sought to ensure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir retained their rights over land and jobs.
On the delay in Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies elections, Bukhari alleged that the polls appeared unlikely as long as the National Conference remained in power.
“It appears that as long as the NC remains in power, Panchayat and ULB elections will not be held,” he said, alleging that the government was reluctant to empower people at the grassroots and make those in power accountable.
Addressing the workers’ convention, Bukhari accused traditional political parties of diverting public attention by trading allegations and counter-allegations instead of focusing on issues affecting people.
He also criticised the government over what he described as its failure to fulfil electoral promises.
Bukhari said the ruling party had promised one lakh jobs, free electricity and gas cylinders, additional ration, regularisation of daily wagers and enhancement of old-age pensions, but had failed to deliver on these commitments despite securing a “huge mandate”.
He appealed to people to strengthen the Apni Party, saying it would continue to work for the protection of their rights.
Bukhari also claimed that the party had played a role in persuading New Delhi in 2020 to introduce a domicile law with a residency requirement in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the Apni Party, if supported by the people, would seek to increase the existing 15-year residency requirement for domicile status to 50 years and work towards securing a constitutional guarantee for it.
Speaking at the convention, Apni Party senior vice president Ghulam Hassan Mir called upon the Centre to initiate dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying this was necessary to address their concerns and bridge the trust deficit.
“I want to tell the Centre not to test the patience of the people. Talk to them, listen to them, understand their concerns, issues and apprehensions, and address them,” Mir said.
He said dialogue was “imperative” to restore people’s confidence in the system.
Mir also criticised both the National Conference and PDP, saying the latter had failed to emerge as an alternative to the NC’s “dynastic politics”.
He said the Apni Party was being built as an alternative to dynastic politics and claimed that it would provide opportunities to people based on talent and ability.
“Our politics does not lead people, particularly the youth, towards negativity. Nor do we believe in a politics that has pushed our youth towards graveyards or jails,” Mir said.
Meanwhile, social and political figure Bashir Ahmad Dar from Pariswani Kunzer joined the Apni Party during the convention.
The convention was attended by several party leaders and workers, including Provincial Secretary Beigh Aftab, Baramulla District President Shabir Ahmad Shah, Provincial Publicity Secretary Kashmir Aamir Rashid Wani and former DDC members from Tangmarg and Kunzer.
The event was organised by Apni Party Block President Wailoo Mohammad Akbar.
