Outsiders taking over natural resources, business from locals in Jammu: Altaf Bukhari

Congress leader among many join Apni Party

JAMMU, JUNE 05 : Apni Party President Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari today expressed his concern over the taking over of the natural resources and business by the outsiders from the locals of Jammu.

The emerging situation has given rise to the feeling of insecurity and alienation among the people, Altaf Bukhari said.

Bukhari was addressing a joining programme at the Party Office in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu in which a Congress Party leader, Bhagat Ram and his supporters. The joining programme was organized by SC State Coordinator Bodh Raj Bhagat.

Welcoming him into the Party, Altaf Bukhari hoped that his joining will strengthen the party at the grass root level and asked the party leaders and workers to work among the people and appraise them about the policy and agenda of the Party.

“The people of J&K were in distress and they had no ray of hope following the scrapping of Article 370 and downgrading of the 200 year old Statehood into a Union Territory. In such a distressful situation, the Apni Party was founded in view of apprehensions among the people that the outsiders will grab their jobs and land,” he said.

He said that “However, we raised the voice of the public before the Govt of India and we were able to protect the jobs and lands for the locals. The issue of restoration of special status is before the Supreme Court and hoped that the aspirations of the people of J&K would be protected.”

He said that “Our fight for the restoration of Statehood in J&K will continue.” He demanded that the assembly elections must be held in J&K so that an elected Govt can replace the present form of governance which has failed to win the confidence of the people.

“In absence of an elected Govt, the natural resources are being grabbed by the outsiders, the business has also been taken over by the outsiders whereas the land compensation is not being given adequately to the land owners along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway by the concerned authorities. The compensation which is being offered to the land owners is  inadequate and needs to be enhanced at par with market value of the commercial value of the land along the highway,” he said while raising concerns of the local population with regard to the industrial policy.

Meanwhile, he highlighted the Party’s policy for public welfare and said that his Party will ensure the supply of  500 units of free electricity to the people during summer and 300 units during winter season in Jammu and on the other, the people in Kashmir would be provided 500 units of free electricity during winter season and during summer season, Kashmir will get 300 units. He also said that his party would also enhance the widow pension up to Rs 5000 and will give 4 free of cost cylinders under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in a year.

He said that they will improve health care facilities, develop infrastructure in Govt educational institutes, road connectivity and clean drinking water.

He also said that if they come to power, they will restart darbar move practice and outsiders will not be allowed to grab natural resources.

Meanwhile, SC State Coordinator, Bodh Raj Bhagat also spoke on the occasion and assured that they will strengthen the Party.

Prominent among those who were present on the occasion included Vice President Choudhary Zulfikar Ali, State General Secretary, Vijay Bakaya, Provincial President Jammu, Manjit Singh, Additional General Secretary (Organisation), Arun Kumar Chibber, Provincial Vice President Ex-MLA Faqir Nath, District President Kathua Ex-MLA Prem Lal, Provincial Secretary/ District President Jammu Urban, Dr Rohit Gupta, Provincial Secretary, Aslam Malik, District President Samba, Raman Thappa, District President Jammu Rural A, Pushap Kumar Uppal, District President Kandi (Bani-Basohli), Choudhary Yasar, President ST Wing Saleem Choudhary, OBC State Coordinator, Madan Lal Chalotra, President, Apni Trade Union, Ajaz Kazmi, Joint Provincial Secretary, Kulwant Singh, Vice President Youth Wing Apni Party, Raqeeq Ahmed Khan, State General Secretary Youth Wing, Abhay Bakaya, Provincial President Youth Wing Jammu, Vipul Bali, Provincial President Apni Trade Union, Raj Kumar Sharma, Rupali Rani, Nisha Kumari  and others.(KNS)