Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Saturday urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to use his authority to extend the eligibility criteria for domicile rights from 15 years to a 50-year residency requirement.
“You (Omar Abdullah) are also holding the revenue portfolio. Change the domicile rules to protect the rights of J&K’s indigenous residents. Make 50 years of residency in J&K a condition for domicile eligibility. This is in your hands. At the very least, you should do it,” Bukhari said.
He made this demand to the Chief Minister while addressing a workers’ convention in Srinagar.
“Apni Party was established after August 5, 2019, when J&K’s rights, including its special powers, were revoked. After founding the party on March 8, 2020, we went to New Delhi to meet with leaders in Union Government. At that time, J&K’s land and jobs were open to being taken by outsiders, and we aimed to protect both for the residents of J&K, ensuring their exclusive rights to land and employment in the region.”
“We successfully convinced the leaders in Delhi and secured the protection of land and jobs for the people of J&K. Additionally, we ensured the release of 3,100 detainees, including some political leaders. At that time, we also urged the Union Government to extend the 15-year residency requirement for domicile rights in J&K. However, we were told that this decision should be left to the elected government of Jammu and Kashmir.”
“Now, that we have an elected government in place, that is why I urge Omar Abdullah to amend the domicile rules by extending the residency requirement from 15 years to 50 years. Changing the domicile rules is completely in the CM’s domain,” Mr Bukhari added.
