Srinagar: The Apni Party on Tuesday kicked off a major public outreach campaign from Kralagund in the Langate constituency, with party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari renewing his call for the Union Government to open a direct dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and restore statehood “as already promised.”
Addressing a workers’ convention, Bukhari said that bridging the “dil ki doori” (distance of hearts) was essential for lasting peace and stability in the region. He also urged the elected government to increase the domicile residency requirement from the current 15 years to 35 years, and to revisit the reservation policy to ensure it is “balanced and judicious.”
Bukhari expressed concern over what he termed “unjustified arrests” and the recent incidents of harassment of Kashmiris outside the region. He said the outreach programme was meant to strengthen the party’s connect with the people and reaffirm its agenda.
“We met our senior workers to chalk out our strategy and reiterate our policies, which have stood the test of time because they are rooted in truth and integrity,” he said. “Our election manifesto remains relevant even today. Others made false promises; we focused on real issues.”
He said the pressing concerns of youth—including arrests, delays in job and passport verifications, and being summoned to police stations over past political affiliations—needed urgent attention. “We had promised a general amnesty for detainees had we been voted to power. Unfortunately, that did not happen,” he added.
Bukhari claimed credit for securing protections over land and jobs for J&K residents after the abrogation of Article 370. “After August 5, 2019, anyone from outside could have bought land or applied for jobs here. It was the Apni Party that ensured a 15-year residency requirement for domicile eligibility. People may not know it because soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic began,” he said.
Calling the present moment “the right time” to extend the residency requirement, he urged his workers to educate people about the importance of strengthening the domicile law, rather than being swayed by demands for “free electricity and other minor issues.”
On the political front, Bukhari insisted that the Centre must begin a dialogue with the people—especially the youth—irrespective of whether it chooses to engage with Pakistan. “This dialogue must pave the way for the restoration of statehood,” he said, adding that all political parties should unite on this demand.
He also hit out at parties that accuse Apni Party of being aligned with the BJP. “History shows who actually worked hand in glove with the BJP and enjoyed power with its support. We cannot be linked to that BJP. But as national leaders, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister must be engaged for resolving the issues of J&K,” he said.
On unemployment and the reservation policy, Bukhari noted that joblessness was pushing youth toward drug abuse. “If the elected government fails to act on such critical matters, it is shameful,” he remarked.
He also spoke on local issues, reiterating that the proposed Government Medical College (GMC) must be built at its approved site in Gund Chogal, Handwara. “Rs 45 crore has already been spent. We will strongly oppose any attempt to shift the project,” he said.
Residents of the area apprised him of several issues, including the delay in establishing a Degree College sanctioned during his tenure as Education Minister, severe water scarcity, inadequate infrastructure, and shortage of lady doctors in health centres. Bukhari assured them that he would take up these matters with the concerned authorities.
