Apni Party demands restoration of the gazetted holiday on martyrs’ day – July 13

Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari urges centre to prioritise J&K’s development projects

JK News Today

Srinagar, June 5: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday reiterated his demand for reinstating the gazetted holiday on July 13, in honour of the 1931 martyrs.

He also appealed to the central government to prioritize developmental projects, such as the two proposed tunnels, which will shorten the distance between Bandipora and places like Lolab and Gurez. Also, Apni Party President reiterated his demand for the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Apni Party President made these demands today while addressing a party convention held at the Town Hall in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

The party’s Senior Vice President, Ghulam Hassan Mir, along with other veteran leaders, also addressed the gathering.

In his speech, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “13 July—the martyr’s day is nearing. They were heroes who stood against autocracy and dictatorship and give their lives in 1931. Today, I reiterate the demand for the restoration of the gazetted holiday on July 13 in their honour. Is an elected government, with a massive public mandate, not able to ensure the restoration of July 13 holiday? Or it needs to seek Delhi’s permission even for a matter as simple as this?”

Urging the Central government to prioritise Jammu Kashmir’s developmental projects, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “I strongly urge the Government of India to give top priority to the long-pending development projects in Jammu and Kashmir—especially the Bandipora- Gurez tunnel, and Bandipora-Lolab Via Aloosa tunnel. These projects, if taken up without further delay, will greatly cut down travel time and distance between Bandipora and remote areas like Lolab and Gurez. Better roads and faster access will open new doors for economic growth in the region. The Razdan Pass tunnel, in particular, is crucial for the Gurez Valley, which remains cut off during harsh winters.”

Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also reiterated his demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and appealed New Delhi to “restore Statehood to J&K without any further delay.”

Apni Party President urged Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha to intervene and ensure that all tourist places which still remain closed are reopened for visitors.

He said, “Why is Gurez Valley still closed? People should be allowed to move around freely. It is the responsibility of the security agencies to ensure safety in these areas, but keeping them continuously closed is not a viable solution. I urge LG Sinha Sahib to intervene in the matter and ensure that the remaining tourist spots are reopened as well.”

Addressing the occasion, the party’s Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir said that even after nine months in power, the elected government has failed to meet public expectations and has not fulfilled its own promises to the people.

He said, “When NC was elected with a large mandate and BJP was elected as a biggest opposition party in Jammu and Kashmir, we thought that this government and opposition will powerly start playing their roles. At that time we decided to give them enough time to perform and keep an eye on government as well as on the opposition.”

He added, “During these nine months, we have observed that not only has the government failed on every front and been unable to fulfil its own promises, but the BJP has also failed in its role as an opposition. Both seem to be hand in glove for their political gains. In such a situation, Apni Party cannot remain silent. We will continue to raise pressing public issues and grievances.”

Ghulam Hassan Mir reiterated his demand urging the Union Government to initiate confidence-building measures and engage with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir in order to address the pressing issues facing the region.

Mir also urged the Union Government to hold the pending ULB and Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir in order to strengthen grassroots-level democracy in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, the party’s Vice President Javaid Mustafa Mir urged the party cadre to rejuvenate and remain politically active in their respective areas.

He said, “I urge you to stay active and intensify your public outreach activities to remain connected with the people in your areas. This will help you better understand public issues and grievances, and enable you to highlight these matters for their prompt redressal.”

During the event, prominent social political activists joined Apni Party. Those who joined Apni Party included Waseem Ahmad Sheikh and his associates from National Congress trade Union, and Mohammad Shafi Seer, Nadir Ali Khatana, and others. The party leaders gave them a warm welcome into the party fold.

Besided the party president and senior vice president that prominent party leaders who were present on the occasion included Vice President Javaid Mustafa Mir, Youth Wing President and Spokesperson Yawar Dilawar Mir, District President Bandipora Syed Shafat Qazmi, Provincial Joint Secretary Kashmir Irshad Ahmad Wani, Constituency In-charge Sonwari Hajan Imtiyaz Paray, Vice President for Youth Wingh District Bandipora Sheraz Wani, Zonal Secretary Sonwari Nazir Ahmad Rather, DDC Haijan A Naza jee, Block President Ajas Manzoor Rather, Block President Haijan Ghulam Mohammad Dar, Block President Sumbal Bashir Ahmad Wani, and others.

After the event, the leaders visited Hajan to offer their condolences to the bereaved family of Mohammad Muzaffar Parray. They expressed their sympathy to the entire family, especially his sons—Feroz Ahmad Parray, Mohammad Nayeem Parray, Mohammad Irfan Parray, Dr. Imran Muzaffar Parray—and other family members.