Calls for an inquiry into who altered Srinagar’s Master Plan, causing irreversible damage to city’s architectural character and interests of its residents
JK News Today
Srinagar, September 20: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today lashed out at the continued neglect of Srinagar city and warned against pushing the historic city into deeper developmental deprivation and livelihood distress.
He also said that Srinagar suffered massive and irreversible damage as its Master Plan was altered.
He said, “Srinagar, especially its downtown area has been suffering from decades of consistent neglect and developmental deprivation. The governments in power have continued to push this historic city deeper into developmental deprivation and livelihood distress. Also, the Srinagar Master Plan was altered in ways that have caused permanent damage to the character and development of this historic city. The areas that were originally designated for commercial use have been turned into residential areas, while areas meant exclusively for residential purposes have been converted into commercial zones.”
He further said, “In many areas, large commercial buildings have been allowed to come up within residential colonies, making life difficult and miserable for the residents of these areas.”
He demanded a thorough probe into who changed the Master Plan, at whose behest, and with what purpose.
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari made these remarks today while addressing public meeting at Chinar Colony Parray Pora in Chanapora constituency.
In his speech he also said that some reports suggest that “attempts are being made to settle outsiders in Kashmir under the garb of development.”
He said, “Unfortunately, some local individuals are allegedly facilitating such activities. It is being alleged that land is being purchased on behalf of outsiders and that they are subsequently being settled on these properties.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari strongly warned against these attempts and demanded a probe into this matter.
Speaking about the J&K’s accession with the country, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “In 1947, the then biggest leader decided to accede to India without seeking the consent of the people. Since he was the biggest leader at the time, he could take that decision. And once such a decision has been taken, it cannot be revoked. That is why I have always maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is a permanent part of the country and is destined to remain with it, whether we like it or not.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari reiterated his appeal to the Prime Minister to fulfil his promise of initiating a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said, “I urge the Hon’ble Prime Minister to fulfil his promise of engaging with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth, to hear their issues and grievances and take effective measures to address them. I also urge him to ensure constitutional guarantees for the protection of the domicile law.”
“Our youth are facing serious difficulties that need to be addressed. How long will they continue to be called to police stations for mistakes of their past? How long will they be denied the mandatory police verification required for employment and obtaining passports? They have chosen the path of peace and deserve to be treated with fairness and dignity. They deserve an opportunity to move forward and lead a peaceful and dignified life,” he added.
He further urged Prime Minister, “I urge you not to look at Jammu and Kashmir through the prism of the NC and PDP. These parties are dominated by political families whose primary concern is to advance their political legacies. Jammu and Kashmir is much bigger than any individual party or political family, and its people deserve to be heard and understood on their own merits.”
He lashed out at the ruling party for its failure to fulfil the promises it made to the people while seeking their votes in 2024.
He said that the situation is that “this government is not even ready to talk about the release of detainees.”
He further said, “Following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, Apni Party leadership, while meeting with Prime Minister, Home Minister, and other senior government leaders in New Delhi, managed to ensure that the Centre allowed people to retain their rights over land and jobs here.”
“However, the domicile law is only for 15 years. J&K’s elected government can extend this period to ensure that there is no immediate threat to our land and jobs, but unfortunately, it is not even doing that,” he added.
On reservation issue, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that “the existing reservation policy is fundamentally unjust and discriminatory. It is deeply unfair that 70 percent of the population is being asked to compete for just 30 percent of the jobs, while 30 percent of the population is being provided access to 70 percent of the opportunities. This unjust policy needs to be changed. We need a judicious reservation policy based on the population ratio so that every section of society receives a fair and proportionate share of employment opportunities.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed grave concern over the government’s failure to address even the basic issues faced by the residents of Srinagar. “Many areas still lack access to even the most basic necessities, such as drinking water. Does this government need the restoration of Statehood before it can ensure something as fundamental as drinking water for the people of the city?” he asked.
He expressed grave concern over “the lack of livelihood opportunities for the youth of the city” and said that the government has failed to provide them with even basic opportunities to earn a decent living. “Our youngsters are not even being allowed to work as street vendors to earn their livelihood.”
“Where will they go? What options are being left for them? Why is the government not doing anything to address their concerns?” he asked.
He said that the city is facing serious problems due to the absence of a proper housing policy.
“People are being forced to live in extremely congested conditions, with several families sharing a single house. Is this the kind of living standard our people deserve?” he asked.
He further said that city lacks even an adequate dranage system. He said, “Even a minor rainfall leads to flood-like situations on the city roads. People are struggling with basic civic issues, yet the government appears to have no concrete solution to these problems. The residents of the city deserve better. They deserve proper housing, effective drainage, clean surroundings and dignified livelihood opportunities,” he said.
He said that people in the city are facing serious problems due to the lack of adequate parking facilities. He also pointed out that there are not enough marriage halls in Downtown, forcing people to face difficulties while organising social and family functions.
He also highlighted several public issues and grievances being faced by people across different areas of the Chanapora constituency. He alleged that even the macadamisation of roads and lanes is being carried out on the basis of the political affiliation of residents.
“If people do not support the ruling party, their roads and lanes are being ignored. Is this the way a government should function? Public services and development cannot be made conditional on political loyalty. This is nothing but an unfortunate example of partisan governance,” he said.
He also pointed out that several playgrounds that were supposed to be developed in the constituency have been left unattended, depriving children and young people of much-needed recreational and sports facilities.
Speaking on the occasion, the party’s Vice President, Mohammad Syed Akhoon, accused the ruling National Conference (NC) of betraying the public mandate.
He said that, while he was still with the NC, he had “warned the party leadership against making a deceitful manifesto aimed at misleading the people.”
He said, “I told them not to tell the people that they would get Articles 370 and 35A restored, because that would not be possible. I also advised them against making promises such as providing an additional ration quota, free electricity, free gas, and government jobs. All such exaggerated claims would eventually damage the party, because fulfilling these promises would not be possible under the Union Territory setup,” he said.
“But instead of heeding my advice, they chose to expel me from the party. I was expelled despite having served the party for 60 long years,” Akhoon said.
Addressing the occasion, party General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir said that “the people of Jammu and Kashmir are facing serious political challenges.”
He said he was not worried about the government’s failures in addressing public issues, as governments come and go and such issues can be addressed at any time. However, he said he was concerned about the larger political challenges confronting the people of Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the need for introspection on these issues.
He also said that “the people of Srinagar are facing serious environmental challenges and warned that if these issues are left unaddressed, they could have grave consequences.”
In his speech, the Party’s Provincial President, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, said that the Apni Party is committed to working for the peace, prosperity, and development of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Party would continue to raise public issues and grievances and strive to ensure that they are addressed promptly and effectively.
The other prominent party leaders who addressed the convention or who were present on the occasion included Vice President Javaid Mustafa Mir, Additional General Secretary Hilal Ahmed Shah, Chief Coordinator and District President Kulgam Abdul Majeed Padder, State Secretary and Chief Spokesperson Muntazir Mohiuddin, Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi, Women’s Wing President Dilshad Shaheen, Provincial Secretary Mohammad Ashraf Dar, District President Srinagar Zaffar Habib Dar, Sajjad Ahmed, Najeeb Ahmad, Provincial President Youth Wing Jibran Dar, Ward President Nazir Ahmad Dar, Ward President Hyderpora Muzaffar Ahmad Sheikh, Ward President Baghat Barzulla Mohammad Shafi Wani and others.
