SRINAGAR: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday expressed concern over what he termed as ongoing random arrests in different parts of Kashmir and reiterated his demand for amnesty for detainees, saying those who have spent years behind bars deserve an opportunity to return to normal life.
Addressing a party event at the Apni Party headquarters in Srinagar, Bukhari said Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed sustained peace and normalcy in recent years and questioned the need for what he described as continued “pakad-dhakad” in various areas of the Valley.
He said he had consistently raised the issue with the Centre, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging them to consider granting amnesty to detainees.
Bukhari maintained that, except for those involved in heinous crimes, detainees should be released and allowed to reintegrate into society. He also stressed that individuals accused of serious offences are entitled to a fair and timely trial, noting that some have remained incarcerated for years without their cases reaching a conclusion.
Referring to his party’s position ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections, he said Apni Party had proposed a policy of amnesty for detainees who pledged to abandon violence and remain loyal to the country, but the party did not receive the electoral mandate to implement the proposal.
The Apni Party chief also reiterated his call for dialogue between the Centre and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth, to address their concerns and grievances. He said the issues facing the region can be resolved only within the constitutional framework of the country and not through external intervention.
The event was organised to welcome a large number of political and social activists from Tral into the Apni Party. The new entrants, including men and women previously associated with the National Conference, PDP and Congress, were formally inducted into the party by Bukhari and other senior leaders.
Among those who joined the party were Mohammad Shahban, Molvi Imtiyaz, Nazir Ahmad Gojar, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, Suhail Ahmad, Ishtiyaq Ahmad, Abdullah Gojar and Jumma Gojar, along with their associates and supporters.
