Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday questioned the Jammu and Kashmir Government over alleged land purchases by outsiders for commercial projects, warning that the ruling National Conference would be responsible if any demographic change took place in the Union Territory.
Addressing a public meeting at Natipora in Srinagar’s Chanapora constituency, Bukhari directly questioned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over alleged land transactions involving a Mumbai-based businessman in Syedpora and a Delhi-based company in Chatterhama, Hazratbal.
“Who allowed Mumbai-based Chawla Sahib to purchase land for a hotel in Syedpora and a Delhi-based company to acquire 150 kanals in Chatterhama Hazratbal, despite the fact that such activities are not permissible under the existing domicile laws of Jammu and Kashmir?” he asked.
Bukhari said it was the government’s responsibility to prevent any activity that could, in his view, lead to demographic changes in J&K. The allegations regarding the specific land transactions were made by Bukhari at the meeting and were not independently established in the reports reviewed.
The Apni Party chief also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate direct dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth, arguing that the prevailing trust deficit could not be addressed without sustained engagement.
He called for the gap between the Centre and the people of J&K to be bridged through what he described as meaningful dialogue.
Bukhari cited issues including police verification, repeated police summons and the detention of young people as concerns contributing to what he termed alienation among the youth.
“Why shouldn’t there be a trust deficit? Our youth are suffering with a range of issues,” he said, alleging that some young people were unable to obtain police verification reports required for passports and employment, while others remained in detention for prolonged periods.
Bukhari also criticised the NC Government over what he described as failure to fulfil its election commitments, saying two years had passed since it assumed office.
He claimed that people had voted for the NC with expectations that it would pursue restoration of Articles 370 and 35A and J&K’s statehood.
Referring to the NC’s political history, Bukhari accused the party of making political commitments to secure electoral support but failing to pursue them after coming to power. He also criticised the functioning of the J&K Legislative Assembly, saying the House should be used to address unemployment, issues concerning detainees and other public concerns.
He further referred to promises including 200 units of free electricity and free gas cylinders, asking the government to explain the status of these commitments.
Bukhari’s criticism comes amid continuing political debate in J&K over the implementation of the NC’s electoral commitments. Recent reporting has also highlighted ongoing discussion around the government’s proposed 200-unit free electricity scheme.
Turning to Srinagar’s historic Downtown areas, Bukhari said residents of Shehr-e-Khaas continued to face difficulties related to housing, basic infrastructure and employment.
He alleged that several families were living in congested housing conditions and that the area continued to suffer from inadequate infrastructure and limited livelihood opportunities.
Bukhari also raised concerns about development in the Chanapora constituency, alleging that some infrastructure projects initiated during his tenure were being neglected.
He cited the condition of Chanapora Hospital and Budshah Nagar dispensary and alleged that several areas were facing inadequate water supply.
Senior Apni Party vice president Ghulam Hassan Mir also criticised the government, saying people had voted enthusiastically in the 2024 Assembly elections in the expectation that an elected administration would bridge the gap between the government and the public.
Mir alleged that people were increasingly disappointed over what he described as the government’s failure to address unemployment and fulfil promises relating to free electricity, gas cylinders and additional ration.
He also questioned the NC’s commitments regarding restoration of Articles 370 and 35A and statehood, asking whether the elected government possessed the constitutional authority to restore provisions that had been altered by the Centre.
Apni Party vice president Mohammad Syed Akhoon accused the NC of making promises that, according to him, could not be fulfilled.
General secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir said people in J&K continued to face political and economic challenges and called for a shift away from what he described as traditional politics centred on promises and emotional slogans.
Provincial president Mohammad Ashraf Mir also accused the government of failing to address public concerns and alleged that people had been misled during the election campaign.
The remarks come as the Apni Party continues to intensify its criticism of the NC Government over governance, development, employment and its handling of political issues in Jammu and Kashmir.
