Bandipora, July 19 (KNS) : Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday alleged that the National Conference (NC) was responsible for the emergence of militancy in Kashmir during the 1990s, claiming that decades of election rigging destroyed people's faith in democracy and pushed the region into turmoil.

 

Addressing a workers' convention in Bandipora, Bukhari said the roots of the armed insurgency lay in manipulated elections, particularly the 1987 Assembly polls. "I still say that if elections had not been rigged, especially in 1987, militancy would not have emerged the way it did. The rigging created leaders of militancy. Democracy was denied to the people from the very beginning," he said.

 

He claimed that democratic institutions in Jammu and Kashmir were repeatedly undermined, alleging that governments were formed through manipulated electoral processes rather than the people's mandate. According to Bukhari, the National Conference remained responsible for many of the political developments that eventually fuelled unrest in the Valley.

 

Referring to a recently honoured film on Article 370, Bukhari said such productions were hurting the sentiments of Kashmiris. "I am not a film hero; I am an ordinary man who represents the people. Those making such films do not understand the emotions of Kashmiris. Playing with the sensitivities of the people of Kashmir is a dangerous trend," he said.

 

The Apni Party chief also questioned why the National Conference had remained silent for years after the abrogation of Article 370 and the downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory in August 2019.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

 

"They have suddenly realised the importance of statehood, Article 370 and political prisoners. Where were they for the last five years? They are going to Delhi today because it suits their politics. They had enough time to address people's grievances but failed to do so," he alleged.

 

Bukhari accused the NC of compromising on issues related to Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy and political rights, stating that the party was now attempting to regain its political relevance through protests.

 

Speaking about the National Conference's planned protest at Jantar Mantar, Bukhari said his party supported every peaceful effort for the restoration of constitutional rights but maintained that public issues should not be reduced to political point-scoring. "I did not attend because there was no consultation, but that does not mean I oppose the demand. We support the restoration of Article the preservation of 370 and statehood. Washing dirty linen in public only benefits those who do not want peace in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

 

Bukhari expressed grief over the loss of lives in the cloudburst-hit areas of Rajouri and Poonch, offering condolences to the bereaved families. He said he was in touch with the administration and prayed for the victims, saying natural disasters were beyond human control and people must stand together during such tragedies. 

 

He also urged party workers to remain connected with the public and continue raising issues affecting ordinary citizens across Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)