Restoring J&K’s rights is New Delhi’s obligation, not a favour to people: Altaf Bukhari
Srinagar, Aug 3: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday 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.”
As per a party statement, he added, “Restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s rights will not be a favour to its people; it is New Delhi’s obligation.”
Apni Party President 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 occasion, Syed Mohammad Altaf 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.
He went on to say, “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.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also said that New Delhi has failed to ensure the benefits of democracy reach the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said, “In 1947, we had chosen to remain with India so that we can enjoy the benefits of democracy, but even that was denied to us for decades. In 1987 elections, Syed Salahuddin emerged only because he won the election but someone else was declared a winner. It is only a couple of decades since we have comparatively fear elections here.”
