Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 1: Apni Party leader Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today urged the Central government to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir before holding state elections in the state.
Addressing a party members’ meeting, Altaf Bukhari stressed that the state’s condition must be the same as it was before August 5, 2019, and said a state like Delhi is not acceptable to the Apni Party.
“The status of Jammu and Kashmir must remain the same as it was before August 5, 2019. Any attempt to distort its status or impose a Delhi-like statehood is unacceptable to the Apni Party and will be firmly opposed,” he stressed.
Bukhari reiterated his demand for the release of detainees in Jammu and Kashmir and the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
He also called for the reinstatement of the July 13 official holiday commemorating the 1931 martyrs, saying official commemoration of Martyrs’ Day on July 13 should be allowed as before.
Expressing his displeasure over civilian traffic being stopped on the highway to give priority to security forces and the Amarnath pilgrims, the Apni Party leader criticised, “There are alarming reports of civilians being stranded on the highway for long periods to accommodate security forces and pilgrims. This unjust practice is causing immense suffering to common people during the hot summer days.”
“We welcome the Amarnath pilgrimage and hope the administration will provide all the facilities required for the pilgrims to perform their religious pilgrimage. However, to facilitate the pilgrims, the rights of civilians should not be denied or they should be made to suffer,” he said.
On the issue of the release of detainees, Buhari said, “I call on the government to release those who have been held for quite some time. With improved conditions and efforts towards sustained peace, these people should be able to reunite with their families and resume normal lives.”
Highlighting the problem of unemployment and inflation, Buhari called on the government to fill vacant government posts as soon as possible in accordance with laws and regulations to curb the rising unemployment rate.
“Similarly, there should not be undue delays in police verification of job seekers and passport applicants, causing unnecessary hardship to thousands of young people without justification,” he said.
Buhari also noted that the recent electricity tariff hike had placed a burden on low-income households and called for a reduction in electricity tariffs.
He called on the government to provide relief to those affected.
