JK News Today
Srinagar, August 30: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday urged the people of Srinagar’s Shehr-e-Khaas not to fall prey to the decades-long exploitation by traditional political parties like the National Conference. He called upon them to become aware of their political and democratic rights and assert them to bring about a change in their present difficult situation.
He was addressing a workers’ convention in Habba Kadal, Srinagar, which was attended by a large gathering of local residents and party workers.
Addressing the gathering, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed serious concern over the continued poor condition of Srinagar city and the hardships faced by its residents. He said that to change this situation, people must take responsibility and stop falling prey to the exploitative politics of the National Conference and its leadership.
He said, “Marhoom Sheikh Sahib successfully earned the unconditional loyalty of the people of the city and built a political empire for generations of his family. However, this blind following by the people paved the way for a prolonged lack of development and prosperity in the city. Even today, decades later, people continue to blindly follow the party, often at the cost of their own future and that of the coming generations.”
He went on to say, “There are around nine lakh people living in this historic city, yet a large number of them are struggling even for basic amenities. Look at the plight of our youth. They are educated but remain jobless, with many forced to take up petty jobs, like working as street vendors. How long can this situation continue?”
“Unfortunately, the existing reservation policy has also adversely affected the people of the city by further reducing employment opportunities for local youth. The residents of the city do not fall under any reserved category, except the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), whose reservation has also been reduced from 10 percent to 3 percent,” he added.
He went on to say, “This beautiful and historic city still lacks even basic amenities, like drinking water. There is a serious shortage of housing, and livelihood opportunities. Many of our daughters in the city, despite having crossed marriageable age, are unable to get married because of the severe financial difficulties faced by their families.”
“We must seriously think about how to change this pathetic situation. The first step is for the people to distance themselves from the political forces that have kept them in this condition despite receiving their support for decades,” he added.
Apni Party president said that by continuing to support the NC, the people of the city are, in fact, compromising their own interests and development.
He said, “Why don’t you understand this simple fact? Despite remaining in power for decades, this party allowed the city to remain in such a pathetic condition and, even worse, damaged its natural infrastructure.”
“Take Nallah Mar, for instance. It was an ancient waterway that connected Dal Lake and the Brari Nambal lagoon with the River Jhelum and Anchar Lake. Filling up this historic canal was one of the greatest acts of damage inflicted on this city and its people. It not only destroyed an important part of Srinagar’s natural drainage and waterway system but also robbed the city of a vital part of its historical heritage,” he said.
Remembering the days when Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims lived together in harmony in the city, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “I vividly remember the days when, as children, we used to attend tuition classes taught by some of the finest Pandit teachers. I also fondly remember the time when Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits lived together happily and prosperously, sharing a bond of mutual respect, trust, and brotherhood.”
Making a heartfelt appeal to the Kashmiri Pandit community, he said, “I urge my Kashmiri Pandit brethren to return so that, together, we can rediscover the past glory of our beautiful shared culture and work towards restoring peace, prosperity, and harmony.”
Apni Party President urged the people of the city to remain vigilant and ensure that, whenever the ULB polls are held, they vote wisely and choose their representatives thoughtfully, so that their developmental issues are addressed effectively.
He also urged the people to support Apni Party to enable it to implement its pro-people manifesto in the city and ensure sustained prosperity and development in this historic and beautiful city.
Speaking on the occasion, former Cabinet Minister and Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir said that the “people of Srinagar city are facing severe hardships due to inadequate housing, limited livelihood opportunities, and a lack of developmental infrastructure.”
He said that “even the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) does not allow people to construct houses or commercial establishments on their own land, causing them further hardship and inconvenience.”
He said, “It is painful to see our youth struggling today. They do not have enough job opportunities, and many of them also face problems in getting passports and completing verification processes for jobs and passports.”
Lashing out at the government Mir said, “These people have placed their trust in you, given you their mandate, and voted you to power. How can a government refuse to address the issues and concerns of the very people who elected it?”
Party’s Provincial president Mohammad Ashraf Mir addressed the occasion and urged the people of the city to support Apni Party.
He said, “Unlike the traditional parties, this party does not belong to any family or any individual. This party belongs to people and its primary agenda is to serve the people. I urge you to make this party strengthen so that it will be able to implement its agenda for peace, prosperity and development of Jammu and Kashmir and its people.”
Besides Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and Ghulam Hassan Mir, the prominent party leaders who spoke in the convention or who were present on the occasion included party’s Vice President Haji Mohammad Syed Akhoon, Provincial President Kashmir Mohammad, Chief Spokesperson & State Secretary Muntazir Mohiudin, District President Srinagar & Constituency In-charge Central Shaltang Zaffar Habib, Provincial Secretary Kashmir Malik Aftab, Provincial Secretary Kashmir Peer Wajahat, Provincial Joint Secretary Kashmir & Constituency In-charge Habba Kadal Jeelani Hamid Kumar, Provincial Joint Secretary Aamir Ashraf Bhat, Provincial Joint Secretary Kashmir Aijaz Rather, Organiser Central Kashmir Mohammad Shafi Mir, Vice President Srinagar Mohsin Zaffar Shah, Provincial Youth President Kashmir Jibran Dar, Joint Secretary District Srinagar Khursheed Ahmad Makhdoomi, Joint Secretary District Srinagar Sameer Ahmad Lone, Constituency In-charge Khanyar Amir Bhat, and others.
