Says, the forced demolition drive is causing misery to the poor people
Jammu, Feb 9 (KNS) : Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday urged the Govt to stop the ongoing forced evictions and demolition drive and regularize the unauthorized colonies and the land which is under the occupation of the people for years and decades in Jammu and Kashmir. He was addressing the party workers’ convention at Nagrota in Jammu today.
According to a press release issued here, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “Uprooting people through a forced eviction and demolition drive is an inhuman act which will bring more miseries to the people who have already suffered hugely over the years and decades due to the protracted conflict and wars.”
He added, “J&K people need a sigh of relief as they have been facing agonies for years due to the turmoil. People here have suffered due to the wars in 1947, 1965, and 1971. And, for the past more than three decades they are grappling with bloodshed, destruction, violence, and so on due to the conflict situation. Government must realize that J&K people need solace, not further miseries in terms of demolition drives.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari promised that Apni Party will not leave any stone unturned to ensure the government revokes its policies that are causing trouble to the people.
He said, “I assure you that the Apni Party will stand like a rock with the people in these tough times, and we will do everything to ensure poor people are not harmed.”
“It is very painful to see poor people suffering due to the ongoing demolition drive. Small houses and shops are being raised to the ground.” He added.
Taking a dig at the government officials, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “Government officials must stop harassing innocent people in the name of demolition drive. They must understand that uprooting people is an inhuman act.”
He urged the Lieutenant Governor (LG) to take action against the officials who are harassing the common people in the name of retrieving state land in their occupancy.
Apni party leader emphasized on peace and harmony among the people and said, “They will try to engage you in hatred towards each other in the name of religion, political affiliation, and so on. And, they will even try to divide you on the name of regions you belong to but you must be smart enough not to fall prey to their political gimmicks. You must understand that J&K needs peace and communal harmony, and people must stand united for democratic and constitutional rights.”
Meanwhile, Apni Party Vice President Zulfiqar Choudhary while addressing the workers’ convention assured people that Apni Party will continue striving for the restoration of statehood to J&K.
He said, “Apni Party will continue its efforts for the restoration of statehood and the democratic rights of the people. We are committed to strive for the peace, prosperity, and development of Jammu and Kashmir and the political and economic empowerment of its people.”
He added, “Apni Party was established post August 5, 2019, when there was absolute chaos everywhere in Jammu and Kashmir. That was a time when people were apprehensive about their future. They thought that J&K’s demography might be changed and their exclusive rights on the land would be snatched away. But the Apni Party led by Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari took an initiative and met with the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister in New Delhi and made them announce an assurance that no demographic changes will occur here, and J&K people will have their exclusive rights on the land and jobs here. We will continue our efforts to protect the people’s rights.” He added.
Apni Party Provincial President Manjit Singh while addressing the convention said that the party’s agenda has gained public acceptance in the shortest period of time because of the unambiguity of this agenda.
He said, “As you know, Apni Party was established just about three years ago, and we lost a lot of time due to the spread of the Covid pandemic, yet our party has got its roots to strengthen in each and every part of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Manjit Singh reiterated the party’s promise that if it comes to power it would take a series of initiatives to ensure economic dividends to each and every soul of this land.
He said, “We are committed to providing 500 units of electricity free to the consumers of Jammu in the summers and 300 units in the winters. And, in the Valley, 500 units of electricity would be given free to the consumers in winter and 300 units in summer. Also, we will enhance marriage assistance to the girls by up to 1 Lakh rupees, and the monthly widow pension by up to five thousand rupees from the existing one thousand rupees. Moreover, we will give 4 free gas cylinders (refills) to every household annually,”
Besides Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Zulfiqar Choudhary, and Manjit Singh, the prominent political leaders and senior workers who were present at the venue included Provincial Vice President Faqir Nath, District President Kathua Prem Lal, District President Jammu (Rural A) Pushap Dev Uppal, General Secretary Arun Chibber, State Coordinator ST Wing Bodh Raj Bagat, President Trade Wing Ajaz Kazmi, State Coordinator OBC Wing Madan Lal Chalotra, State Vice President Youth Wing Raqeeq Khan, State General Secretary Youth Wing Abhay Bakaya, Provincial President Youth Wing Vipul Bali, Provincial President Legal Wing Shabir Choudhary, Provincial Secretary Youth Wing Suhail Khajuria, District President Udhampur Hans Raj Dogra, District Vice President Ganesh Sharma, District General Secretary Sardesh Rana, District Secretary Ashraf Choudhary, Sukhwinder Singh Ladi, Basharat and others. The event was organized by Party’s Senior Women Leader Rupali Rani. (KNS)