SRINAGAR: Apni Party President, Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari on Friday said tribals and others categorised people were not getting benefits of Forest Rights Act on the ground in Rajouri although the FRA has been implemented by the Govt in JK.
The Forest Rights Act was implemented in Jammu and Kashmir by the Govt to benefit and give land rights to the tribals, and forest dwellers and their claims were also submitted to the respective committees framed by the concerned administration.
However, the people including tribals, and other forest dwellers were not given rights as per the rules. ‘“They preferred to adopt bulldozer politics and deprive people from their constitutional rights,” said Altaf Bukhari while addressing a one day worker’s convention in Taryath in Kalakote, Rajouri district.
He said that the poor and marginalized section of society, especially tribals in Rajouri like other parts of Jammu and Kashmir, were dependent upon the state and forest lands for decades. They made this barren land cultivable and their cattles would use the grazing yards. But they have been barred from grazing their cattles, and a drive on the name encroachment has also been launched.
Referring to the seasonal migration and difficulties faced by the tribal people while shifting from summer to winter zone Bukhari said, “The claims that the tribals are provided transportation facilities seem to have failed as the deserving tribal people continue to suffer. The providing of transportation to the tribals for seasonal migrations appears not to be benefiting to the seasonal migration of tribals with their cattles to upper reaches,” he said.
“The people across Jammu region and Kashmir regions have been facing equal issues, and their demand for holding assembly elections are not being accepted citing various reasons. It appears that a political party is not willing to contest polls in Jammu and Kashmir. The NC, BJP, Congress Party and PDP have ruled J&K for over 72 years, and they did nothing for the people. However, when Art 370 on August 5, 2019 was revoked and J&K was downgraded from a state, it was the Apni Party which came into being and then we struggled hard to resolve the issues of the people,” he added.
Altaf Bukhari said that the Apni Party ensured protection of jobs and land for the locals when the people were apprehensive of the central Govt’s approach and other traditional political parties were not willing to speak.
“We have no tinted leaders. Our leaders are committed to work for the people without discrimination. The people should vote and support the Apni Party in upcoming Assembly Elections in J&K. If we get a change, we will ensure good governance, equitable development by removing the disparity between rural and urban areas with regard to distribution of funds for development. We are committed to protect the natural resources, not allow non-local contractors to work in J&K and restore darbar move practice within 24 hours after forming the Govt,” he added.
While raising the issue of Jammu Migrants from Talwara, Poni, Reasi, Rajouri, Bukhri said that the Jammu migrants should be treated at par with Kashmiri Pandit migrants.
“The Jammu migrants should be given equal status at par with Kashmiri Pandit migrants by providing them ration, relief package, accommodation, employment, reservation in educational institutions. The Jammu Migrants had to leave their homes decades back following threats but the Govt has not provided them facilities at par with the Kashmir migrants. This discrimination must end,” he added.
He assured that he will raise the issue of Jammu migrants with Union Home Minister, Amit Shah.
