DD Correspondent
Srinagar, Kashmir (India): Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday urged the authorities not to harass the youth in Kashmir and allow them to participate freely in the August 15 celebrations, saying they have “suffered enough” and deserve an opportunity to live peaceful and dignified lives.
Bukhari made the remarks while responding to questions from reporters after addressing a workers’ convention at Wailoo Tangmarg.
“The youth have endured immense hardships and suffering over the years and deserve to live a dignified life. Even those who may have been involved in activities in the past have suffered enough and should be given an opportunity to move forward and lead a peaceful and dignified life,” he said.
Responding to a question about the possibility of security threats, Bukhari said the enemy was always looking for opportunities to disrupt peace and called for continued vigilance.
“Our enemy will certainly try to disrupt the prevailing peace and calm, but with our vigilance and collective resolve, we have to foil any such attempt,” he said.
On the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, Bukhari said the Apni Party’s strategy remained the same as the one it adopted in 2020, when it chose dialogue with New Delhi to safeguard the people’s exclusive rights over land and jobs.
On the pending Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections, he alleged that the polls appeared unlikely as long as the National Conference remained in power.
“It appears that as long as the NC remains in power, Panchayat and ULB elections will not be held. They do not want people to exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives at the grassroots level,” Bukhari said.
He accused the ruling party of failing to fulfil its electoral promises, including providing one lakh jobs, free electricity and gas cylinders, additional ration, regularisation of daily wagers and enhancement of old-age pensions.
Bukhari also criticised traditional political parties for engaging in allegations and counter-allegations instead of addressing issues confronting the people. He urged the public to support the Apni Party, claiming that it would continue to work for the protection and restoration of the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the party had played a role in securing a domicile law with a residency requirement in J&K in 2020 and promised that, if given public support, it would seek to enhance the existing 15-year residency requirement to 50 years and work towards securing a constitutional guarantee for it.
Addressing the convention, Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir urged the Central Government to initiate dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and address their concerns.
“I want to tell the Centre not to test the patience of the people. Talk to them, listen to them, understand their concerns, issues and apprehensions, and address them. This is imperative to bridge the prevailing trust deficit and restore people’s confidence in the system,” Mir said.
Mir said the people of Tangmarg and adjoining areas had historically contributed to development and supported positive politics. Recalling his association with the PDP, he said the party had initially been seen as an alternative to the National Conference but eventually became a family-run party.
He said the Apni Party was being built as an alternative to dynastic politics and would provide opportunities to people based on talent and ability.
“Unlike other political parties, Apni Party’s politics does not lead people, particularly the youth, towards negativity. We believe in the politics of truth, responsibility and hope—a politics that empowers our youth to build a peaceful, prosperous and better future for Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
On the occasion, prominent social and political figure Bashir Ahmad Dar of Pariswani, Kunzer, joined the Apni Party and was welcomed by the leadership.
The convention was organised by Apni Party Block President Wailoo Mohammad Akbar. Several senior party leaders and workers attended the event, including Provincial Secretary Beigh Aftab, Baramulla District President Shabir Ahmad Shah, Provincial Publicity Secretary Kashmir Aamir Rashid Wani, former DDC members Adv. Tajamul Ishfaq Mir and Sheikh Nazir Ahmad, and other party leaders and functionaries.
