Srinagar: Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday reiterated his demand that New Delhi should initiate a meaningful dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth, to bridge the gap between the Centre and the region.
Addressing a public convention organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party in Maisuma, Bukhari said the people of Srinagar have remained neglected and deprived of economic growth despite repeatedly voting for traditional political parties over the past several decades.
He said the large turnout of people in the Assembly elections reflected their commitment to peace and rejection of violence, but alleged that the ruling party had failed to respond to that sentiment by initiating measures for economic upliftment.
Bukhari said areas such as Maisuma, Koker Bazar and other parts of downtown Srinagar continue to suffer from poverty and lack of adequate housing.
He alleged that many families are forced to live in cramped conditions, leading to delayed marriages and economic hardship.
“The politicians who ruled Jammu and Kashmir for decades failed to improve the condition of Srinagar and left the people in hardship,” Bukhari said.
He also said that residents of Srinagar do not fall under any reservation category and urged the government to include them under the Economically Weaker Sections category so that they can avail benefits in jobs and welfare schemes.
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, Bukhari accused regional parties of contributing to the dilution of the provision over the years and later becoming complicit in its removal.
He said the people of Kashmir acted wisely by not resorting to violence after August 5, 2019.
Bukhari also alleged that several youth from Maisuma and other areas lost their lives or were jailed during the tenure of previous governments.
He reiterated that New Delhi should begin a dialogue process with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in order to address their concerns and restore confidence.
