Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday expressed his concern over the rising social evils —especially the drug menace— in the Valley. He blamed the protracted phase of the violence and ‘gun culture’ for the menace and urged people to work for the protection of ethical values to safeguard the young generation from these evils.
He was addressing a public rally in the Wachi constituency of south Kashmir’s Shopian district today, a press release issued here said.
Before coming to the rally venue, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, accompanied by the stalwarts of the party, paid obeisance at the revered shrine (Ziyarat Sharief) of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (RA) in Wachi.
While addressing the rally Apni Party leader expressed his concern about the rising social evils. He said, “Unfortunately, the Valley has faced a long phase of violence — over the past more than three decades starting from the early 1990s— which eventually, harmed society to its core. We have lost our traditional values over this period of time. It hurts me to see that a large number of our young boys and girls have fallen prey to drug abuse across the Valley. This is something we must be worried about and do something to eradicate this menace and protect our youngsters.”
At the rally venue the residents of Wachi apprised Apni Party leader about the public issues, mostly related to infrastructure deficit and official inefficiency, and requested him to help them to get these issues resolved, the press note said.
On this, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari assured people that he would do everything to ensure the public issues and grievances are resolved as soon as possible. He said, “We are not in Govt, thus cannot do much about these issues yet. However, I assure you that I will bring these issues in to the notice of the concerned officials for the quick redressal of the problems. And, if we get the public mandate in the upcoming elections, I promise you that we will take a series of initiatives to ensure that all the major issues that the people of Wachi are facing are resolved swiftly.”
He reiterated that Apni Party will continue its efforts to ensure the detainees are out of jail. He said, “As I have said this time and again that Apni Party strongly believes that the young people who are presently behind the bars must be given a chance to restart their normal life. We are committed to pursue the cases of these detainees and try to get them out of jails.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari appealed to people to use their vote sensibly in the forthcoming assembly elections. He said, “I am told that hundreds of households in this constituency do not get potable water supply to their homes, and I wonder what the leaders who you have been electing in the past, have done for this area. You must value your vote and elect your representative wisely. The person, you elect to represent you must serve you, resolve your problems, and must be accountable to you.”
He promised that Apni Party will give the mandate in the elections to someone who is trustworthy for the people of Wachi. He said, “You will select the person who must represent you in the Govt. He or she must have integrity and must be trustworthy for you.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari extended his gratitude to the people for participating in the daylong convention.
On this occasion, the party’s Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir said that the past rulers have failed to harness the potential of Wachi constituency. He said, “Had this beautiful place been brought to the pilgrimage tourism map, the situation in terms of economic growth of this place would have been far better. We have a revered Muslim shrine and a historical temple here. This place deserves to be brought in the religious tourism map. And, I promise you that if Apni Party gets a mandate to serve the people, we will put Wachi on the pilgrimage tourism map so that it will bring more employment opportunities and economic dividends to the local population.”
Ghulam Hassan Mir said that Apni Party will get an appropriate irrigation system in Wachi so that people do not suffer from the lack of irrigation supplies any further. He said, “I am aware of the fact that people do not have enough infrastructure for a proper irrigation system here despite that this place has enough potential for creating a comprehensive irrigation system. I assure you, If Apni Party gets a chance to form the Govt, we will build the required infrastructure for the irrigation supplies here.”
He further said, “We have a vision for J&K’s development and the prosperity of its people. For instance, we have said that Apni Party’s Govt will enhance the marriage assistance for women up to One Lakh rupees from the existing assistance of Rs 50,000; and widows’ pension from the existing Rs 1000 up to Rs 5000 for each beneficiary. Also, we will provide 500 units of electricity free to the consumers of Valley in the winter and 300 units in the summers. While in Jammu, 500 units of electricity would be given free in summer and 300 units in winter. Moreover, we will give free gas for four cylinders to every household annually.”
Party’s Vice President Zaffar Iqbal Manhas said that the prolonged instability has left the Wachi constituency underdeveloped over the years. He said, “Unfortunately, this area of the district remained mostly volatile during the past thirty years, which eventually stopped economic growth and development here. Also, the election boycott politics has harmed the interests of the Wachi people. I am convinced that the people of this constituency are themselves responsible for the developmental deficit here. Earlier, you had indulged in hero-worship of some political leaders, who later turned to be the exploiters. Either intentionally, or by mistake, or by out of your innocence, you have always elected the people who were only worried about attaining power and creating riches for themselves, and left you high and dry.”
Taking a dig at the conventional political parties, Manhas said, “BJP is not responsible for our pathetic condition. This party implemented its agenda openly and without trying to please anyone. But our own political parties backstabbed people with their political gimmicks and fake narratives. Worst, the J&K people too did not bother to ask them questions.”
Referring to National Conference, he said, “Nobody asked this political party that if the decision that it took in 1947 was correct, then why did it ruin 22 years of people by the so-called ‘plebiscite movement’. And, if launching this movement was the right decision then why did the party bury this movement in 1975 to attain power?”
He further said, “In 1987, the same party rigged the elections which caused the disastrous occurrences in the 1990s. Had this party been sincere to the people, it would have used its two third majority power to get autonomy for J&K. But they only wanted to befool the people through fake slogans.”
Taking a dig at PDP, Manhas said, “Who was the Home Minister in 1990, when Governor Jagmohan was brought here to rule ruthlessly? Who was the Home Minister at the Centre when massacres like Handwara, Bijbehara, and Gawkadal occurred? And, most recently, who was at the helm of affairs when more than a hundred youngsters were killed in 2016 just because they were protesting? And, who was the leaders who justified these killings by saying ‘had these boys gone to bring milk and chocolate from the market when they were gunned down?”
“The truth is, these political parties have always exploited people through their lies, fake narratives, and emotional slogans.” He added.
On this occasion, Party’s General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir appealed to people to vote for Apni Party in the upcoming elections. He said, “We are committed to serving the people. Apni Party has a clear agenda for a better future of Jammu and Kashmir. We have a team of experienced people whose priority is to serve the people. You give us a chance to serve you, and we promise that we will change the scenario for good in terms of the development and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The other prominent leaders who were present on the occasion, included DDC Vice Chairman Shopian and State General Secretary Apni Party’s Youth Wing Irfan Manhas, District Vice President Advocate Gowhar Wani, District Vice President Ch. Fazal Din, DDC Chitragam Nigeena Akhtar, District President Mohammad Ahsan Paul, District Secretary Tanveer Tak, District Coordinator Zakir Hussain, District Organizer Manzoor Bashir Khan, Youth Leader Suhail Rather, District Office Secretary Mushtaq Thoker, and others.
