Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 3: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari has stated that, although New Delhi has caused suffering to the people of Jammu and Kashmir over the years, the resolution of their problems will also have to come from New Delhi – not from anywhere else.
“Restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s rights will not be a favour to its people; it is New Delhi’s obligation,” Bukhari asserted.
Apni Party chief made these remarks today while addressing a party workers’ convention in Uri, in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. The convention was attended by leaders and senior party workers from across the Uri constituency.
Addressing the gathering Bukhari urged the Centre to restore the rights of the people. He said, “The Centre – regardless of who was in power – has inflicted several wounds on us. However, it must restore our rights, and that too as an obligation, not a favour.”
He also urged the Centre to intervene and ensure that “NHPC fulfils the conditions laid down at the time of establishing power projects – including providing benefits to local populations – and that area development funds are properly utilised in the concerned areas.”
“Have the children of those who gave their land for these power projects received jobs? If not, then provide employment to them as per the conditions laid down at the time of setting up these projects. Similarly, we want to know whether NHPC is properly utilising the area development fund,” he added.
“The waters flowing from Jammu and Kashmir have been sold to neighbouring country for the past eighty years under a treaty. But what have J&K people gained from this agreement? At least, we should have received free electricity from these waters.”
He blamed ruling NC of befooling people through fake promises. He said, “They (NC) has always misled the people with false promises. This time, they claimed they would restore Articles 370 and 35A and ensure the return of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.”
Senior vice president Ghulam Hassan urged the Centre to initiate a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said, “This is the right time for the Centre to initiate a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to address their pressing problems and grievances. It is imperative that such a dialogue takes place to put Jammu and Kashmir on the path of sustained peace, enduring prosperity, and development.
Senior leaders Shabir Ahmad Shah, Mehmood Bukhari, Ch Mushtaq, Sheikh Maqsood, and others were also present.
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