Apni Party holds workers’ convention at its Srinagar headquarters

Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari urges the Centre to engage with the people, restore statehood, and unmerge J&K from the AGMUT cadre

JK News Today

Srinagar, July 10: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday reiterated his demand to the Union Government for the “immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.”

He also urged the Centre to fulfil its promise of “engaging with the people of J&K to address their issues and grievances.”

Furthermore, Apni Party leader called on the Central Government “to delink J&K from the AGMUT cadre.”

Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also urged Government to officially observe July 13 as Martyrs’ Day, in remembrance of those who laid down their lives on this day in 1931. He announced that the Apni Party leadership will visit the martyrs’ graveyard at Naqshband Sahib in Srinagar to pay tribute on their anniversary. The party has formally sought permission to visit the graveyard on July 13.

Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari voiced these demands today while addressing a workers’ convention at the party headquarters in Srinagar. This event was part of an ongoing series of conventions aimed at fostering engagement with party leaders and senior workers across various districts in the Valley.

In his speech, referring to the events of August 5, 2019, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that on this day, “the people of J&K were stabbed and stripped of their legitimate rights.”

He vowed that the “Apni Party will continue its struggle for the restoration of these rights and will always stand with the people.”

Referring to Home Minister Amit Shah’s commitment about engaging with J&K youth, Apni Party President said, “Amit Shah Ji, you had said that you would not talk to Pakistan, but instead speak with your own people in Jammu and Kashmir. Please follow through on that promise. If the government can engage with the people of Leh and Kargil to address their issues and grievances, why not with the people of Jammu and Kashmir?”

He went on to say, “Statehood is our right—restoring it would not be a favour. The Centre must reinstate statehood to Jammu and Kashmir without any further delay.”

Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, yet again urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to set 50-year residency requirement for domicile eligibility.

He said, “Omar Sahib, you are also holding the Revenue portfolio. No one can stop you from amending the domicile rules and changing the eligibility criteria from the current 15-year requirement to a 50-year residency requirement. This is entirely within your authority and discretion. I urge you with folded hands—please, at the very least, do this much for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Accusing the ruling party to indulge in victimization of its political opponents, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukahri said, “It is extremely unfortunate that this government is punishing people who voted against it or did not support the ruling party. Individuals are being transferred for such petty reasons. Even on the developmental front, the government is depriving areas it considers to be in opposition. Roads and lanes are being macadamized only in localities where people voted for and supported the ruling party during the elections. I warn the administration to stop this victimization of the people. I am giving them two months to change their behaviour; otherwise, we will take to the streets.”

Raising his voice once again in support of the detainees, Apni Party President said, “How long will our youth remain in jails? I was recently pained to meet a father whose son was picked up after the Pahalgam terror attack. He told me that his son has never been involved in stone-pelting or any such activity, nor is there any case registered against him. Then why was he detained? After the heinous Pahalgam attack, hundreds of youth have been arrested. What is their fault? Already, a huge number of people are behind bars. Unfortunately, the elected government, despite having a massive mandate, does not even speak on this matter.”

Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari reiterated his demand for immediate medical attention for jailed separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah and former Ameer-e-Jamaat Dr. Abdul Hameed Fayaz. He also urged a fair trial for incarcerated leader Yasin Malik.

Making a strong call for the conduct of the long-pending Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections, Apni Party president said, “People should not be deprived of their right to choose their representatives. I demand the holding of Panchayat and ULB elections, without any further delay.”

Taking about the residents of Srinagar city, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that youth of the city are being pushed to the wall. He said, “People are living in miserable conditions in the downtown areas of Srinagar. Two to three families are crammed into single, small houses. And, the youth are grappling with unemployment and related challenges. These young individuals are being pushed to the wall due to the lack of a suitable environment for their growth and well-being. A comprehensive and modern housing policy must be introduced for the residents of Srinagar city to ensure a dignified and adequate living environment for the people of this historic city. We also need and adequate and efficient drainage system in the Srinagar city.”

He urged the government to take initiatives to promote handicraft skills and businesses so that the people involved can prosper. He also called for the rehabilitation of Dal dwellers.

The prominent leaders who addressed the convention or who were present on the occasion included Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, Chairman PAC Mohammad Dilawar Mir, Vice President Javaid Mustafa Mir, General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Additional General Secretary Hilal Ahmad Shah, Chief Coordinator & District President Kulgam Abdul Majeed Padder, Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Chief Spokesperson & State Secretary Muntazir Mohi-Ud-Din, Media Advisor & Media Panelist Farooq Andrabi, State Spokesperson & State Youth President Yawar Dilawar Mir, Women’s Wing President UT Dilshad Shaheen, Provincial Vice President Agha Syed Ahmad Al-Mosvi, Provincial Vice President Hakikat Singh, District President Kupwara Raja Manzoor Khan, District President Srinagar Mohammad Shafi Mir, Provincial Secretary Kashmir Syed Najeeb Naqvi, Provincial Secretary Kashmir Malik Aftab, Provincial Secretary Kashmir Mohammad Ashraf Dar, Provincial secretary Najeeb Ahmad Khan, Provincial Secretary Kashmir Sheraza Malik, Provincial Organizer Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Provincial Publicity Secretary Kashmir Muzaffar Ahmad Reshi, Provincial Coordinator Kashmir Shabir Ahmad Reshi, Provincial Head Legal Cell Kashmir Advocate Sajad Ibrahim, Provincial Joint Secretary Kashmir Sajad Ahmad Dar, Provincial Joint Secretary Kashmir Aamir Ashraf Bhat, Senior Vice President Srinagar & Constituency Incharge Habba-Kadal Jeelani Hamid Kumar, Vice President Srinagar & Constituency Incharge Khanyar Mohsin Zaffar Shah, Vice President Srinagar Srinagar Dr. Bilal Ahmad Mir, Vice President Srinagar & Constituency Incharge Shalteng Zaffar Habib Dar, District Secretary Srinagar Peer Wajahat Nabi, District Office Secretary Srinagar Tawseef Bashir Laway, District Coordinator Srinagar Sheikh Nissar, District Organizer Shoaib Dar, Joint Secretary Manzoor Ah Dar, Publicity Secretary, Abdul Rashid Alie, Incharge Zadibal constituency Tehseen Farooq, Ward President Natipora, Ward President Chanapora Bilal Ah Shah, Ward President Hyderpora Muzafar Ah Sheikh, Ward President Rawalpora Nazir Ah Dar, Ward President Budshah Nagar Imran Ah Lone, Ward President Bage Mehtab Nazir Ah Beigh, Ward President Baghat Shafi Wani, Ward President Mehjoor Nagar Mukhtar Ah, Ward President Pantha chowk Riyaz Ah,Ward President Lasjan Fayaz Ah, Ward President Soitang Gh Hassan, Ward President Khonmu A Gulzar Ah, Ward President Khonumu B Naser AH, Ward President Balhama Yaqoop Ah, Ward President Athwajan Mohd Asharf, Ward president Pandrehtan Gh Mohd, Ward President Shivpora Rafiq ah, Ward President Batmaloo Bilal Ah, Ward President Rajbagh A Ajaz Ah, Ward President Rajbagh B Mushtaq Ah,Ward President Ikhrajpora Zaid, Party Leader Tanvir Pathan, Afroza Khan, Masrat Jee, Shahzada, Zareena Rafiqa jee, Shaista, Saima, Gulshan, Heena Sultan, Sujatha Saleem and others.