Bukhari seeks PM’s intervention to restore J&K’s statehood, 4G links
Meets PM in Delhi, expresses concern over the rising unemployment, seeks construction of bunkers along LoC
SRINAGAR : Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday evening met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and presented a memorandum highlighting the pressing demands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially restoration of statehood and 4G internet facilities.
According to an Apni Party spokesperson, the meeting which lasted almost for an hour, was held in a very cordial atmosphere, in which Bukhari expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for tackling the Covid-19 pandemic and initiating a comprehensive vaccination drive in the country.
“He also thanked the Prime Minister for sanctioning a special package for the revival of the industrial sector in Jammu and Kashmir. During the course of the meeting, Bukhari reiterated his demand for the restoration of statehood to J&K,” the spokesperson said.
At the meeting, Bukhari expressed serious concern over the rising unemployment rate in J&K and urged the PM to formulate a comprehensive employment package for the youth of the union territory.
“He emphasised on the need to explore viable options, including roping in of multinational companies across the country and in the Gulf countries, so as to address the unemployment problem of J&K’s qualified and skilled youth,” he said. Bukhari also sought the intervention of the PM for restoration of age relaxation for J&K’s UPSC aspirants that was in force before January 2020. He said scrapping the UPSC age relaxation clause had disappointed the youth.
Bukhari also urged the PM to lift the ban on 4G mobile internet services across Jammu and Kashmir. He termed the ban on 4G in J&K unjustifiable and a discrimination against the people, especially the student and business community.
Referring to the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, Bukhari pleaded for an honourable return of the community and sought their rehabilitation with the majority community in the Valley.
He said any ghettoisation of this inseparable part of Kashmiri society will not be acceptable to the people.
The dilapidated condition of Jammu-Srinagar national highway and developing other alternative inter-regional road connections like Mughal Road and Kishtwar-Sinthan routes into all weather roads also figured in the talks.
Bukhari also pressed for the construction of individual and community bunkers for residents along the Line of Control in J&K so as to prevent the loss of life and damages to the properties due to recurring skirmishes.