Centre must bridge trust deficit between J&K, Delhi: Bukhari

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 8: On the sixth foundation day of Apni Party, its president, Bukhari today extended greetings to party colleagues/leaders and dedicated workers and urged New Delhi to initiate the necessary confidence-building measures (CBMs), including a meaningful dialogue with the people and constructive engagement with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to help bridge the prevailing trust deficit.
Party has postponed the scheduled foundation day celebration programmes across J&K in view of the ongoing war in the Middle East. In his special message, Bukhari said, “Today marks the 6th Foundation Day of Apni Party, which was established on March 8, 2020, at a time when the people of Jammu and Kashmir were passing through one of the most difficult phases in their history following the events of August 5, 2019. Not only had Jammu and Kashmir lost its special constitutional status and statehood, but it had also been bifurcated into two Union Territories.
“Soon after the formation of the party, AP leaders travelled to New Delhi and met the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, and other senior leaders of the Government of India. We strongly advocated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir must retain exclusive rights over their land and government jobs. We were able to persuade the Central government to ensure these protections,” Bukhari added.
Urging Centre to initiate required CBMs, he said, “Today, I also reiterate my demand to the Central government to initiate meaningful confidence-building measures, including dialogue with the people, and to actively engage the youth in order to bridge the trust deficit between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country.”