Srinagar, April 10 (KNS): Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Monday said that people in Jammu and Valley are on the same page when it comes to the protection of their rights. He emphasized that J&K’s land —whether property land, state land, kahcharai, forests, and others— mineral reserves, and other natural resources belong solely to the J&K people, a press note said.
According to the press note, Mr. Bukhari was addressing a well-attended party workers convention in the Sandoh area of Samba district in Jammu, wherein he received a rousing reception on his arrival at the venue.
Emphasizing the importance of unity and harmony among people of Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of their regional identities and religious affiliations, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari stated, “The conventional politicians have been attempting to divide us on the basis of region, religion, ethnicity, and other factors to gain power and remain in power for decades. Over the past 70 years, these so-called politicians have driven people apart for their own political benefit, but the time has come when people of both the regions —Jammu and Valley— must bridge all the gaps and remain on is a single page in order to protect their legal, democratic, and political rights.”
Disputing the government's claim that significant investments have been made in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, we have not observed any influx of investments into the region. If the government's assertion that 70,000 crores have been invested in J&K were accurate, people would have seen the economic dividends including new employments.”
He added, “Rather than providing job opportunities for the local population, outsiders are being given preference in the ongoing developmental projects. Ideally, locals should have been given priority for employment opportunities, but we observe that everyone from contractors to laborers is being brought in from outside, as if we have a shortage of manpower here in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Urging New Delhi to hold assembly elections in J&K without a further delay, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “Selecting their own representatives to serve in the government is a fundamental democratic right that must not be denied to the people. We have faith in the democratic values of our country, and we aspire to the same rights that are enjoyed by people in other regions of the country.”
He further said, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered immensely over the past seven decades, bearing the brunt of wars in 1965, 1971, and 1999. They have been victims of killings, destruction, and bloodshed caused by the protracted phase of violence that began in 1990. Therefore, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are entitled to some relief in the form of the restoration of their fundamental, democratic, legal, and political rights. Nobody must not forget that the Maharaja acceded to India due to its democratic values, thus, the people of J&K deserve to enjoy the benefits of democracy.”
Apni Party President promised that if the party is elected to form the government, it will undertake a series of initiatives to ensure social justice and economic benefits for the people.
He said, “We have a vision and a roadmap to ensure the economic empowerment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I assure you that we will ensure impartial development of all regions and prosperity for all citizens, regardless of their regional, religious, or political affiliations.”
Expressing his concern about the pathetic condition of those who are working as daily wagers in various government departments for years, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “I promise you that we will ensure regularization of the daily wagers within 30 days after we if elected, take charge of the government.”
On this occasion, while addressing the gathering Party's Vice President Zulfakar Choudhary said that Apni Party is committed to strive for the political and economic empowerment of J&K people. He said, "Apni Party will not leave any stone unturned to ensure peace, prosperity, and development of Jammu and Kashmir, and the economic and political empowerment of its people."
Addressing the workers convention, party's Provincial President Manjit Singh urged the leaders and workers to enhance their political activities and public outreach program in their respective areas in order to remain in touch with the masses.
The prominent party leaders, who were present on the occasion included District President Samba Raman Thapa, District President Legal Wing Advocate Sahil Bharti, District President (Youth Wing) Mangat Ram, Block President Ramgarh Bachan Choudhary, Block President Rajpura Raman Sharma, Block President Samba Harjeet Singh, Block President Vijaypur Captain Mohan Lal Sharma, Block President Baribarmna Babu Ram Bagat, Block President Nud Chinar Dass, and others.(KNS)