Srinagar: A public delegation from Boniyar Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district met Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari to apprise him of issues faced by the Pahari ethnic group despite the parliament-granted ST status to Paharis in J&K.
According to a press release issued here, “A public delegation comprising prominent citizens, including Engineer Abdul Ahad Sheikh, Advocate Abdul Khaliq, Fareed Khan, Mohammad Aslam Dar, and others, met Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari at the party headquarters in Srinagar today.”
“The delegation informed Bukhari that the administration is considering providing benefits under Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Pahari community based solely on language and ancestral affiliation. The law suggests that other parameters for obtaining ST benefits include a common culture, common living standards, economic conditions, geographical location, access to basic amenities, and so on. The members of the delegation stated that it is the government’s responsibility to clearly define and explain all the parameters that determine ST eligibility for the Pahari community in accordance with the law,” the press release said.
The members of the delegation requested Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari to highlight their issues in order to get them resolved by the authorities.
During this detailed meeting, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari gave a patient hearing to the visiting delegation and assured them that he would bring this important matter to the attention of the relevant authorities to ensure justice is served.
