Urges PM, HM to release detained youth; seeks heavy central funding, flags communal divide and regional imbalance
Asif Malik
Srinagar, Jan 26 (KNS): On the occasion of Republic Day, Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari appealed for the release of detained youth and emphasised the pressing need for enhanced central funding to address Jammu and Kashmir’s developmental deficits.
Speaking to News Agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) on the sidelines of Republic Day celebrations here, Bukhari stated that the Union Territory’s progress is inextricably linked to the Centre’s budgetary support, given its limited revenue-generating capacity.
“The budget here is dependent on the central budget. I expect generous assistance from the Government of India, as we face significant infrastructure gaps in education, health, and tourism,” Bukhari said.
He also urged the J&K administration to announce a package for unemployed youth—including monthly stipends—and to regularise 65,000 daily wage workers, a long-pending demand.
*On Jammu’s Statehood Demand*
Addressing the recurring demand for separate statehood for Jammu, Bukhari cautioned against divisive regional politics, stating that such grievances have persisted for decades. He cited alleged disparities in recent government recruitment lists as an example of imbalanced development.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Expresses Concern Over Communalisation of Politics
Bukhari voiced apprehension about the growing communalisation of the political landscape. He said that the 2024 elections saw votes polarised along religious lines, undermining the secular foundation of the nation.
“When every issue is viewed through a religious lens, it threatens the very fabric of our coexistence,” he stated, also referring to a recent incident at the Vishnu Devi Medical College.
In an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Bukhari urged the release of youth lodged in various jails across the country.
“They should be given a chance to rebuild their lives,” he said, emphasising the improved security situation in the Kashmir valley.
Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari said, “We are witnessing normalcy today. Those who once held weapons now hold the national flag—what greater normalcy can there be?”
He added hope for special attention to J&K in the upcoming Budget, underscoring that sustained development across all sectors remains vital for lasting peace and prosperity. (KNS)