SRINAGAR: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday reiterated his demand for a dialogue between the Government of India and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth, while addressing a workers’ convention in Hazratbal.
According to a party statement, Bukhari said the people of Srinagar had remained neglected over the years and continued to face challenges such as unemployment, inadequate housing and poor public infrastructure. He alleged that successive governments had failed to address these issues or create adequate employment opportunities.
Stressing the need to support young people, Bukhari said the biggest challenge before Jammu and Kashmir was to guide the youth towards progress and ensure employment opportunities. He alleged that, over the years, many youths had been pushed towards violence instead of being provided opportunities for development.
Reiterating his demand for dialogue, Bukhari urged the Centre to initiate meaningful engagement with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to address their grievances and bridge the trust deficit.
He also criticised the government over civic issues in the Hazratbal constituency, alleging that it had failed to address public concerns despite being elected to power.
Responding to a question from reporters after the convention, Bukhari criticised PDP president Mehbooba Mufti for participating in the ongoing protests at Jantar Mantar, alleging that her government’s handling of protests while in power was inconsistent with her present stand.
Speaking on the occasion, Apni Party provincial president Mohammad Ashraf Mir criticised the National Conference-led government over governance and public issues. He urged people to hold the government accountable and also raised concerns over delays in passport issuance and the alleged difficulty of the police verification process.
Mir also expressed concern over the arrests made following Wednesday’s militant attack in Anantnag in which a policeman was killed.
The convention also witnessed several workers from other political parties joining the Apni Party, the statement said.
