Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) today convened maiden of its party functioners party’s office, The Bund in Lal Chowk-Srinagar.
This meeting was chaired by the Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari.
Those who attended the meeting included party’s Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, Vice Presidents Zaffar Iqbal Manhas and Usman Majid, General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Provincial President Kashmir Mohammad Ashraf Mir and Provincial Vice President Kashmir Jagmohan Singh Raina, a party spokesman said in a statement issued here today.
Underlining the significance of a strong bonding between the representatives and the public in any democratic set up, the party president emphasized the need for an immediate public outreach programme at grassroot level throughout J&K.
Taking a strong exception to the latest order issued by the union home ministry thereby conferring more powers to the Lieutenant Governor to manage the affairs of civil and police administration in J&K, the meeting reiterated its demand for restoration of statehood and holding of elections in order to put an end to such undemocratic and arbitrary decisions.
The meeting urged the Government of India to take into consideration all the prerequisites and sensitivities involved in strengthening a democratic and political process in J&K before taking such decisions which are of autocratic nature.
“It is highly unfortunate that we witness decisions being taken on a day-to-day basis arbitrarily and are being imposed in a highly unethical manner,” the meeting observed.
Regarding the government curbs in Shia dominated areas; the meeting observed that it is highly regrettable that despite showing exemplary discipline in following all SOPs and social and health protocols under COVID-19 guidelines across J&K, the mourners were barred from participating in congregational mourning.
“While, the discipline shown by the mourners to follow the COVID protocol across J&K is extremely laudable, it seems the government has decided not only to alienate but humiliate the people by imposing unwarranted restrictions on such religious gatherings. We strongly condemn the use of force against the mourners reported by the media from various places in Kashmir,” the meeting remarked.
The meeting recalled the valor and sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) on the occasion Ashura saying that day holds special importance among the Muslim community.
