Article 370 Revocation ‘Inflicted Deep Wound’ on J&K Emotions: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari

Article 370 Revocation ‘Inflicted Deep Wound’ on J&K Emotions: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari

Article 370 Revocation ‘Inflicted Deep Wound’ on J&K Emotions: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari

TRAL, AUGUST 28 (VoM News): Jammu and Kashmir has been deeply emotionally wounded following the abrogation of Article 370, said Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday, attributing the provision’s weakening and subsequent removal to the Congress and BJP.

“We know they both (Congress and BJP) are equally responsible as the Congress weakened it over decades; however, the BJP removed it totally” Bukhari said at a party convention in Tral here, according to PTI.

He said after the Centre abrogated Article 370 and Article 35A on August 5, 2019, its “emotional impact” on the people of Jammu and Kashmir was undeniable.

The Apni Party then pursued the issue with the Central government to ensure that the land and employment rights, protected earlier by Article 370, would be safeguarded for the people, Bukhari said.

“However, the Apni Party raised concerns with the Central government and made sure that land and employment rights for the people of J&K must be reserved for the people of the region,” he said, adding that the Center later introduced domicile provisions to protect these rights.

Bukhari stressed the need for dialogue between New Delhi and the people, especially the youth, of the region to allay fears and bridge the trust deficit.

“We need to create a strong atmosphere from here by initiating a dialogue for New Delhi to engage with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially our youth, and alleviate their genuine fears,” he said.

Taking jibe at National Conference (NC), he said the ruling party has been a “master of political drama and empty promises” and also asked the NC its stand over restoration of Article 370.

Bukhari alleged that NC had gained “votes from people on the promise of restoring Article 370 and Article 35A,” but the party later focused solely on the demand for restoration of statehood.

“We just hope that in coming days they will stop taking cover behind such statements,” he said.

Lamenting the condition of hospitals and schools in Tral and the “lack of basic amenities” in the constituency, Bukhari blamed the local administration for the deplorable situation.

Stressing on the need to develop Tral’s tourism potential for the youth, he said sustainable development could open new job avenues in the region.

Regarding law and order situation in the Valley, the Apni Party chief stated that he party was also working towards preventing “random arrests of youth” so that they could rejoin the mainstream.

Also, demanding political reservation for the Sikh community, Bukhari said that they had supported the Muslim community in the “most difficult situations”.

Earlier, the Apni Party senior vice-president Ghulam Hassan Mir said the party would not back out from raising public issues irrespective of electoral gains. “We have not come here to woo for votes … But we are here to reiterate that Apni Party is a people’s party and its workers are committed to fight for peoples issues irrespective of any political consequences,” Mir told supporters.

He sought people’s support and promised his party’s continuous efforts for the welfare of J&K’s people, ensuring peace and prosperity in the region.

Meanwhile, a social activist and workers from NC, Congress and PDP also joined the Apni Party. The new entrants included NC worker Karan Singh, PDP worker Mohammad Amin, social activist Muzafar Bhat and Congress worker Mohammad Younis Dar.

Several other Apni Party leaders and workers were also present at the function.