Srinagar: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday called upon the Government of India to announce a general amnesty for people involved in violence during the 1990s and subsequent years, arguing that those who had returned to the mainstream should be given an opportunity to rebuild their lives.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Bukhari appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to consider forgiving those who, according to him, had been misled into following a path of violence during the turbulent period.
He said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had changed considerably, with people embracing peace and normalcy, and argued that the opportunity for reconciliation should extend to those who had been involved in militancy-related activities.
“In view of this changing situation, I appeal to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Home Minister to consider granting a general amnesty to all such people and provide them with an opportunity to fully reintegrate into mainstream society,” Bukhari said.
He pointed out that criminal cases registered against many such individuals continued to affect their everyday lives, restricting their access to government and private employment as well as passport facilities.
The Apni Party chief also raised concerns over the denial of police verification certificates to youngsters, alleging that some were being subjected to difficulties because of the past involvement of their family members in the turmoil of the 1990s.
He maintained that the younger generation should not be made to bear the consequences of actions committed by their relatives.
Turning to the reservation policy, Bukhari termed the existing arrangement unjust and detrimental to merit, claiming that nearly 70 per cent of government posts were reserved for different categories.
He cautioned that the policy, if continued in its present form, could further restrict employment opportunities for Kashmiri youth.
“Two lakh Kashmiris lie buried in graveyards, thousands are languishing in jails, and now people are being deprived of even employment opportunities. An unjust reservation policy amounts to a violation of human rights,” he said.
Bukhari also criticised the delay in holding Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections in Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as a denial of people’s democratic and constitutional rights.
He said nearly 17,000 Panches and Sarpanches were to be elected and demanded that the electoral process be initiated without further delay.
“The ruling party is deliberately delaying these elections because it does not want to share power with the people at the grassroots level,” he alleged.
On employment-related concerns, Bukhari urged Jammu and Kashmir Bank to raise the upper age limit to 40 years for candidates applying under its recently advertised recruitment process, citing prolonged recruitment delays and limited job opportunities in the Union Territory.
He also sought relief for economically weaker households struggling with mounting electricity bills and frequent power shortages, urging the government to consider a special amnesty or waiver of outstanding electricity dues for poor families unable to clear their payments.
Reiterating his demand for the restoration of statehood, Bukhari asked the Centre to honour its commitment to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood without further delay.
He said the assurances made by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister should be translated into action, adding that fulfilling commitments was essential for strengthening public confidence in the democratic system.
The Apni Party president also pressed for meaningful political dialogue between the Centre and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying the absence of an inclusive political process had deepened alienation and left several public concerns unresolved.
He said dialogue was necessary to rebuild trust, strengthen peace and prevent further loss of innocent lives.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s 2021 assurance, Bukhari said, “The Hon’ble Prime Minister had promised to bridge the Dilli aur Dil ki dooriyan (the distance between Delhi and the hearts of the people). That promise must now be translated into action.”
He also referred to historical commitments made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that the credibility of a democracy depended on its leaders honouring the assurances given to citizens.
