Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday renewed his demand for the withdrawal of cases registered against youth in Jammu and Kashmir, saying their reintegration into society was essential for lasting peace and stability in the Union Territory.
Bukhari was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the party’s Independence Day celebrations at its headquarters at M2 Church Lane, Srinagar, where he hoisted the national flag.
Referring to young people and elderly persons who, according to him, were called to or kept at police stations on Independence Day, Bukhari said they should instead have been given an opportunity to participate in the celebrations.
“They are an integral part of society and need to be amalgamated into it and given a chance to resume their normal lives with their families,” he said.
The Apni Party chief reiterated his call for withdrawing cases against youth, saying the move would help rebuild trust and address longstanding social wounds.
He suggested that the withdrawal could be made conditional, with beneficiaries required to maintain a clean record and face no fresh complaints for five years.
“Giving the youth a fresh start is essential for healing wounds, rebuilding trust, and paving the way for a peaceful and stable Jammu and Kashmir,” Bukhari said.
Bukhari also welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of free online coaching for competitive examinations, saying the initiative would help reduce the financial burden on poor and middle-class families.
He urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to introduce a similar waiver of examination fees for recruitment and selection processes conducted by its agencies. The expenditure, he suggested, could be met from the Union Territory’s education budget.
The Apni Party president also called for adequate compensation and assistance for people who suffered losses in recent natural calamities across Jammu and Kashmir.
“It is painful to see victims and sufferers wailing and crying over their losses. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure adequate support for such victims,” he said.
Bukhari suggested exploring mechanisms to involve the public in relief efforts, including using the region’s tradition of Zakat to support families affected by natural disasters.
“When tragedy strikes, we should stand together as one society,” he said, stressing that no family affected by a natural disaster should be left to face its suffering alone.
The party’s Independence Day function was attended by senior leaders and workers, with Bukhari hoisting the Tricolour amid patriotic slogans and celebrations.
