Srinagar: Apni Party on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the recent car blast near Red Fort in New Delhi and the alleged involvement of well-educated individuals in the attack.
Calling the incident “horrific,” the party demanded the severest punishment for the perpetrators, while urging New Delhi to identify and address the root causes behind rising white-collar radicalisation.
The remarks were made during Apni Party’s day-long working committee meeting, chaired by Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari at the party headquarters in Sheikh Bagh, Srinagar. The meeting reviewed key political, economic, and social challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, along with major public grievances.
At the outset, members observed a two-minute silence for those who lost their lives in the Delhi blast and the accidental explosion at Nowgam Police Station last week.
The working committee unanimously passed a resolution condemning the New Delhi blast and urging the Centre to initiate meaningful public outreach and dialogue in J&K to foster long-term peace.
The party also expressed deep grief over the Nowgam incident and demanded adequate compensation for affected families, including for residents whose houses were damaged. It called for an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the accidental blast.
Taking serious note of the reported involvement of educated individuals in the Delhi attack, the party said the trend of white-collar radicalisation is alarming. “Firm action is essential to deal with terrorists, but robust outreach is equally vital to prevent radicalisation,” the resolution reads. The party urged the government to investigate underlying causes and address them effectively.
Apni Party reiterated that a trust deficit exists between New Delhi and the people of Jammu and Kashmir and called for immediate steps to bridge this gap. It reminded the Centre of commitments made by the Prime Minister and Home Minister regarding public outreach and dialogue, urging their implementation without delay.
During the meeting, the leadership also deliberated on inflation, unemployment, and unfulfilled government promises, including the commitment to create one lakh jobs within six months of assuming office.
Referring to the recent Budgam by-polls, the party described the outcome as a “punishment vote” against the ruling party, asserting that people’s anger intensifies when their choices are ignored. The party said it respects the public mandate and intends to place the real situation before the people.
Discussing the broader governance and economic landscape, the party criticised the National Conference government for failing to improve administration, saying poor governance has led to worsening economic distress. It highlighted stagnation in key sectors—tourism, horticulture, agriculture, and handicrafts—and said youth unemployment and inflation continue to hurt households.
The party noted that economic distress, coupled with recent security incidents, has created a fragile environment in the Union Territory. It pledged to spearhead reforms aimed at improving governance and reviving natural economic sectors.
Outlining its roadmap, Apni Party said it would prioritise participatory governance, strengthen key economic sectors, promote Kashmir as a tourism destination despite perception challenges, and push for broad-based economic reforms.
The party also demanded immediate Panchayat and ULB elections, regularisation of daily wagers, a fresh employment drive for educated youth, and reforms in the reservation system to protect merit.
“This is a delicate time of transition for J&K. Only capable and sincere leadership can steer the region out of uncertainty,” the statement concluded, adding that Apni Party remains committed to serving the people with “honesty and dedication.”
