SRINAGAR: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday said the abrogation of Article 370 had caused a deep emotional impact on the people of Jammu and Kashmir and called for dialogue between the Centre and the people of the region to address their concerns.
Addressing a party convention in Tral, Bukhari alleged that both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were responsible for the dilution and eventual abrogation of Article 370.
According to Bukhari, the people of Jammu and Kashmir had a strong emotional attachment to Article 370 because of the constitutional protections it provided for land and employment. He claimed that following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in August 2019, his party engaged with the Centre to safeguard local rights over land and jobs.
Bukhari said there was a need to bridge the trust deficit between New Delhi and the people of Jammu and Kashmir through meaningful engagement, particularly with the youth.
“There is an urgent need to make New Delhi understand the importance of initiating a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to address their genuine concerns,” he said.
The Apni Party chief also criticised the ruling National Conference (NC), alleging that several promises made by the party during the Assembly elections, including employment generation, free electricity and the regularisation of daily wagers, remained unfulfilled.
He further alleged that the NC had shifted its political stance from seeking restoration of Articles 370 and 35A to focusing primarily on restoration of statehood.
Highlighting local issues in Tral, Bukhari expressed concern over what he described as inadequate facilities in educational and healthcare institutions. He urged elected representatives to take up these issues with the government.
He also said Tral possessed significant tourism potential and called for its development to generate employment and economic opportunities for local youth.
Referring to the Sikh community, Bukhari advocated political reservation for the community and said its rights should be safeguarded.
The Apni Party president also expressed concern over the arrest of youth and said his party would continue to raise such issues with the authorities.
Speaking on the occasion, former minister and Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir said the party would continue to raise public grievances and seek their resolution through appropriate channels.
Mir said Apni Party’s focus remained on addressing people’s issues and safeguarding their interests. He appealed to people to support the party and participate in its activities.
During the convention, several individuals, including National Conference worker Karan Singh, Peoples Democratic Party worker Mohammad Amin, social activist Muzaffar Bhat and Congress worker Mohammad Younis Dar, joined the Apni Party, according to the party. Party leaders welcomed the new entrants into its fold.
Several senior Apni Party leaders and office-bearers were also present at the event.
