Srinagar, June 23: Altaf Bukhari, the leader of the Apni Party, has emphasized the importance of confidence-building measures (CBMs) to strengthen democracy and promote peace in Jammu and Kashmir. In a statement ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the region, Bukhari appealed to Shah to take necessary action and announce CBMs that would contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious environment.
Bukhari specifically called for the announcement of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, enabling people to exercise their constitutional right to choose their representatives and fostering a stronger democratic process. He also urged against the reimposition of the Public Safety Act (PSA) on prisoners, citing the positive transformation in the region and the need to allow individuals an opportunity to lead peaceful lives.
Highlighting the changing mindset of the people, especially the youth, Bukhari emphasized the importance of holding assembly elections to address the aspirations of the population effectively. He noted that after the events of August 5, 2019, there was a sense of political disempowerment among the masses, which could be overcome through the holding of elections.
Bukhari further stressed the release of prominent religious and political leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Moulana Abdul Rasheed Dawoodi, Moulana Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri, and engineer Rashid. He believed that their release would infuse positivity into the environment and allow them to play a significant role in addressing social issues, such as drug abuse in the Valley.
Expressing his support for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, Bukhari highlighted the importance of the traditional pilgrimage in fostering religious harmony, strengthening cultural bonds, and yielding economic benefits. He called for unwavering trust in the people and providing them ample opportunities to extend their warm hospitality to the pilgrims.
As the region enters a festive period with the arrival of Eid al-Adha and the commencement of the Amarnath Yatra, Bukhari emphasized that now is the opportune time for initiating positive initiatives and implementing CBMs to foster peace, strengthen democracy, and promote overall development in Jammu and Kashmir.
