Srinagar, September 5: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday demanded the reopening of closed tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir, an amnesty on accumulated household power bills, and an immediate increase in the internship stipends for MBBS and BDS interns.

He was speaking at the party’s workers’ convention at in Watakuloo, Charar-e-Sharief today.

Taking a dig at the NC government, Altaf Bukhari said that the government had completely failed to address the people’s issues despite securing a huge mandate.

In a statement issued, He said, “We understand that certain powers rest with the Lieutenant Governor, but the Chief Minister is second only to the LG in terms of authority and executive power. Despite this, he has failed to take the LG on board and work collectively to resolve the pressing issues facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who gave his government a massive mandate and placed their trust in it.”

He said this government is not even talk of the people issues.
He said, “Take, for instance, the issue of detainees. Years and even decades have passed, yet many of our youth continue to remain in jails. This government, despite having received a clear public mandate, has not even raised their plight or made their release a matter of serious public concern. How long are they expected to remain behind bars? Do they have to spend their entire lives in jails? The government must show compassion and take up this issue seriously.”

He demanded the government to announce amnesty for accumulated power bills of households and an immediate increase in the internship stipends of MBBS and BDS interns.

He blamed the ruling NC of misleading people through fake promises during elections.

He said, “We know that this party has a history of deceiving people through hollow promises and misleading slogans. However, we expected that after receiving a massive public mandate in the 2024 elections—particularly in the backdrop of the events of August 5, 2019—the NC would realise the pain and plight of the people and show some empathy towards them.”

“He added, “Unfortunately, it has failed to live up to those expectations. Instead of standing with the people and addressing their genuine concerns, the government has remained largely indifferent to their grievances. The people gave the NC a huge mandate in the hope that it would represent their aspirations and alleviate their difficulties, but sadly, they have been let down once again.”

He expressed grave concern over the rising unemployment rate, saying that the youth are the future of Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed that the government must prioritise the creation of sustainable livelihood and employment opportunities to secure the future of the younger generation.

He also urged the youth to maintain a positive outlook towards life and strongly appealed to them to stay away from the menace of drugs and the culture of violence and guns. He said that these two evils have caused immense damage to society, and stressed that it is imperative for the younger generation to remain completely away from drugs and guns.

Apni Party President urged the government to consider reopening the closed tourist destinations, keeping in view the livelihoods of people dependent on these places.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

He said, “As far as security measures and initiatives are concerned, there should be no compromise. At the same time, the government must also consider that these places provide livelihoods to many households. Therefore, they should be thrown open to tourists now.”

Talking about the local issues, Altaf Bukhari said that a developmental deficit is evident in the area. He said people apprised him of the hardships they were facing due to inadequate infrastructure at the local hospital and had also raised several other pressing public issues.

He assured the people that he would take up these matters with the higher authorities and ensure that they were addressed promptly.

Altaf Bukhari appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to fulfil their promise of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

He said, “The events of August 5, 2019, have been deeply painful for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

He said, “Ours was the oldest state in the country, and the loss of statehood along with our special constitutional status on August 5, 2019, was a profound loss for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It felt as though a deep wound had been inflicted on our hearts.”
“I earnestly appeal to both the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Home Minister to fulfil their commitment and restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir without any further delay. This is not merely a political demand; it is a matter of dignity, trust and justice for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, party Vice President Javaid Mustafa Mir said that the “developmental deficit in Watakuloo, Charar-e-Sharief, and adjoining areas is a clear indication that the ruling party, which had remained at the helm of affairs for most of the past seven decades, had failed to do justice to the people who had given it their mandate time and again.”

He urged the people to strengthen the Apni Party to enable it to implement its pro-people agenda and policies.

Speaking on the occasion, the party’s Chief Spokesperson, Muntazir Mohiuddin, said that “Apni Party’s policies and agenda are rooted in the politics of truthfulness and integrity.”

He urged the people to trust and support the Apni Party so that, together, they could work towards ensuring peace, prosperity, and development in Jammu and Kashmir.

Several political and social leaders and activists joined Apni Party. Altaf Bukhari and other leaders extended welcomed the new entrants. New members included PDP Halqa President Farooq Khan, Mohammad Rafi, Raja Rafi, Ghulam Hassan Ahanger, Bashir Ahmad, Abdul Khaliq Dar, Mohammad Shafi, Mohammad Ashraf,Tawfeeq Ahmad, Zahoor Ahmad, Haji Rashid, Zubair Ahmad, Abdul Rehman Naja, Abdul Qayoom Naja, Javid Ahmad Najar, Riyaz Ahmad Najar, Junaid Dar, Zahoor Ahmad, Adil Ashraf, Zubair Ahmad, others.

The prominent party leaders who were present on the occasion, included Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, Vice President Javaid Mustafa Mir, Chief Spokesperson & State Secretary Muntazir Mohiudin, District President Budgam Advocate Owais Ashraf Shah, Block President Nagam Abdul Majeed, Youth leader Raja Rafiq and other senior workers of Charar-e-Sharief constituency.(KNS)