Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 27
Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Sunday accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of failing to prevent what he described as potential demographic change, and questioned the administration over alleged land purchases by outside entities.
Addressing a public meeting in Natipora in Srinagar, Bukhari questioned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over an alleged purchase of land for a hotel in Syedpora by a Mumbai-based businessman and an alleged acquisition of 150 kanal in Chattergul by a Delhi-based company.
He asked who had permitted the transactions, saying such activity was not allowed under the existing domicile rules of Jammu and Kashmir.
Bukhari said the National Conference (NC) government would be responsible if any demographic change took place in the union territory.
He also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold direct talks with people in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly young people, to address what he described as a continuing trust deficit.
Bukhari cited police verification, detention of young people and repeated police summons among issues contributing to that concern.
He also criticised the Omar Abdullah government over what he said were unfulfilled election promises, including commitments relating to free electricity, gas cylinders, employment and statehood.
Bukhari questioned the NC’s past positions on Article 370, Article 35A, statehood, and greater autonomy, arguing that the party had failed to deliver on promises made to voters.
He also criticised disruptions in the Assembly, saying the House should focus on employment, detainees and other public concerns.
On Srinagar’s old city, Bukhari highlighted housing shortages, poor infrastructure and unemployment.
He also raised issues in Chanapora constituency, including drinking-water shortages and what he described as inadequate infrastructure at Chanapora Hospital and the Budshah Nagar dispensary.
