SRINAGAR, Aug 15: The President of the Apni Party, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, on Saturday reiterated his demand for the withdrawal of cases registered against young individuals in Jammu and Kashmir over the years, emphasizing that providing them with a genuine opportunity to rebuild their lives is crucial for achieving lasting peace, stability, and social healing in the Union Territory.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Bukhari made these remarks to reporters on the sidelines of the Independence Day celebrations organised by the Apni Party at its headquarters in Srinagar. The party leaders and senior workers had gathered at the M2 Church Lane, Srinagar, to commemorate the nation’s 80th Independence Day with significant enthusiasm.
During the event, which featured the hoisting of the Tricolour amidst patriotic slogans, Bukhari expressed his pleasure at the widespread participation in the Independence Day celebrations across Jammu and Kashmir. He conveyed his wish that youngsters and elderly persons who had been taken into police custody on the day could have also joined the festivities, highlighting their integral role in society and the need for their reintegration and the resumption of normal lives with their families.
Further elaborating on his appeal, Bukhari stated, “These cases should be withdrawn, even if such withdrawal is made subject to the condition that no further complaint should be lodged against them for the next five years.” He asserted that granting the youth a fresh start is fundamental for healing past grievances, fostering trust, and paving the way for a peaceful and stable Jammu and Kashmir.
In his address, Bukhari also acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement regarding free online coaching for competitive examinations. He noted the financial strain that coaching classes impose on the poor and middle classes and suggested that the Union Territory government should emulate this initiative. He proposed waiving examination fees for recruitment and selection processes conducted by relevant authorities to alleviate the financial burden on unemployed youth seeking government jobs. Bukhari suggested that the expenses for these examinations should be allocated from the Union Territory’s Education Budget.
Additionally, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari addressed the issue of compensation for individuals affected by recent natural calamities. He described the sight of victims lamenting their losses as painful and stressed the government’s responsibility to provide adequate support. He also suggested exploring avenues for public involvement in assisting those affected, noting the societal practice of ‘Zakat’ and advocating for the proper channeling of resources to aid those in need. He called for a genuine commitment to act and make it a collective responsibility to manage natural tragedies and extend support to all victims, irrespective of their background, emphasizing unity in times of crisis.
The Chenab Times News Desk