PM Modi meets Apni Party delegation led by Altaf Bukhari

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

New Delhi, March 14

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday underscored the importance of ‘Janbhagidari’ (people’s participation) in transforming Jammu & Kashmir and emphasised on the importance of an administration that gives voice to the people.

Interacting with a 24-member delegation from Jammu & Kashmir’s nascent Apni Party led by Altaf Bukhari at Lok Kalyan Marg, PM Modi noted that democracy in the region could be strengthened through a fast moving process of political integration.

Speaking on youth empowerment, the Prime Minister said the youth should act as catalytic agents for the development of Jammu & Kashmir, a PMO release said.

He highlighted the importance of skill development and creating new employment opportunities for the youth to bring in an overall transformation of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Prime Minister assured the delegation that the government is committed to economic development of the region through extensive focus on infrastructure development and creating new investment opportunities in sectors like tourism. He assured full support by the government to resolve all the issues being faced by Jammu & Kashmir.

He discussed various issues like concerns on demographic changes, delimitation exercise and grant of state domicile. Referring to his statement in Parliament, Prime Minister underlined that the Government will work with all sections of the population to realise the hopes of state hood for Jammu and Kashmir at an early opportunity.

Apni Party president Bukhari described the August 5, 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35-A as a “watershed moment” in the history of Jammu & Kashmir.

The delegation thanked the Prime Minister for his unstinted support and untiring efforts towards the development of Jammu & Kashmir. They also appreciated the efforts of the government, security agencies and the people of Jammu and Kashmir towards maintaining peace and security in the region, the release said.