Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party has taken strong exception to the Govt of India orders in context of J&K and condemned the Administration for using force and ban Muharram procession.
A meeting of JKAP was held today at party office at the Bund in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar and was chaired by the Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari. JKAP functionaries who were available in Kashmir province and attended the meeting included the senior vice president Ghulam Hassan Mir, vice presidents Zaffar Iqbal Manhas and Usman Majid, general Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Provincial president Kashmir Mohammad Ashraf Mir and Provincial vice president Kashmir Jagmohan Singh Raina.
Underlining the significance of a strong bonding between the representatives and the public in any democratic set up, the Party president emphasized the need for an immediate public outreach programme at grassroots level throughout J&K. It was unanimously decided that the Party will further strengthen its public outreach initiatives to discuss their day-to-day issues at district levels in coming days. It was also resolved that the Party will announce the appointment of its other office bearers including district presidents very soon.
Taking a strong exception to the latest order issued by the Union Home Ministry thereby conferring more powers to the Lieutenant Governor to manage the affairs of civil and police administration in J&K, the meeting reiterated its demand for restoration of Statehood and elections in order to put an end to such undemocratic and arbitrary decisions.
The meeting urged the Government of India to take into consideration all the prerequisites and sensitivities involved in strengthening a democratic and political process in J&K before taking such decisions which are of autocratic nature. “It is highly unfortunate that we witness decisions being taken on a day-to-day basis arbitrarily and are being imposed in a highly unethical manner,” the meeting observed.
Regarding the Government curbs in Shia dominated areas; the meeting observed that it is highly regrettable that despite showing exemplary discipline in following all SOPs and social and health protocols under COVID-19 guidelines across J&K, the mourners were barred from participating in congregational mourning.
“While, the discipline shown by the Mourners to follow the COVID protocol across J&K is extremely laudable, it seems the Government has decided not only to alienate but humiliate the people by imposing unwarranted restrictions on such religious gatherings. We strongly condemn the use of force against the mourners reported by the media from various places in Kashmir,” the meeting remarked.
Administrative inertia, developmental deficit, distressed economy and the growing disconnect between the people and Lt. Governor led administration in J&K also surfaced for deliberations during the meeting. JKAP leadership expressed deep concern over the plight of people associated with tourism, businesses, industries, agriculture, horticulture and the handicrafts sector.
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