“On July 13, I and my colleagues will visit the martyrs’ graveyard to honor the 1931 martyrs.”
Srinagar | : Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has reiterated his demand for the immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, urging the Union Government to engage with the local populace to address their issues. He called for the delinking of Jammu and Kashmir from the AGMUT cadre and emphasized the need for the government to officially observe July 13 as Martyrs’ Day, honoring those who lost their lives in 1931. Bukhari announced plans for the Apni Party leadership to visit the martyrs’ graveyard in Srinagar to pay tribute. During a workers’ convention in Srinagar, Bukhari criticized the events of August 5, 2019, stating that the people of J&K were stripped of their rights. He urged Home Minister Amit Shah to fulfill his commitment to engage with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, questioning why the government could engage with Leh and Kargil but not with J&K. He asserted that restoring statehood is a right, not a favor, and called for immediate action. Bukhari also urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to amend domicile rules to require a 50-year residency for eligibility, emphasizing that this change is within Abdullah’s authority. He accused the ruling party of victimizing political opponents and warned that if the administration does not change its behavior within two months, the Apni Party would take to the streets. Addressing the issue of detained youth, Bukhari expressed concern over the arbitrary arrests following the Pahalgam terror attack and called for immediate medical attention for jailed leaders, including Shabir Ahmad Shah and Yasin Malik. He demanded the long-overdue Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies elections, asserting that citizens should not be deprived of their right to choose representatives. Bukhari highlighted the dire living conditions in Srinagar, particularly in the downtown areas, where families are overcrowded and youth face unemployment. He called for a comprehensive housing policy and an efficient drainage system for the city. Additionally, he urged the government to promote handicraft skills and businesses to support local prosperity and called for the rehabilitation of Dal dwellers.
