Apni Party to start public outreach programme

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 30

The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) today said it would start a public outreach programme throughout the Union Territory.

As per a statement issued by the party, JKAP president Syed Altaf Bukhari during a meeting held here emphasised on the need for an “immediate public outreach programme at grassroots level throughout J&K”.

“It was unanimously decided that the party will further strengthen its public outreach initiatives to discuss its day-to-day issues at district levels in the coming days,” the statement said.

Taking a strong exception to the latest order issued by the Union Home Ministry conferring more powers to the Lieutenant Governor to manage the affairs of civil and police administration in J&K, the statement said: “In the meeting, the demand for restoration of statehood and elections in order to put an end to such undemocratic and arbitrary decisions was reiterated. The meeting urged the Government of India to take into consideration all the prerequisites and sensitivities involved in strengthening a democratic and political process in J&K before taking such decisions which are of autocratic nature.”

“Administrative inertia, developmental deficit, distressed economy and the growing disconnect between people and Lt Governor-led administration in J&K also surfaced for deliberations during the meeting. The party leadership also expressed deep concern for the plight of people associated with tourism, businesses, industries, agriculture, horticulture and handicrafts sector,” the statement added.