Amit Shah assured restoration of statehood to J&K: Bukhari

Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be restored soon after the assembly election is held.

The Union Home Minister assured the Apni Party delegation led by Bukhari at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar last night that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored soon after the assembly elections are held here.

The delegation also gave the Home Minister a memorandum that contained several demands including restoration of statehood to J&K, holding of assembly elections, the release of detainees, transparent recruitments, resolution of the issues of the fruit industry, a statement of the Apni Party said.

Apni Party leaders had a detailed conversation with the Home Minister on several issues in a conducive atmosphere and the Home Minister was kind enough to pay attention to the demands leaders raised during the meeting.

The memorandum reads: “The Hon’ble Prime Minister and Union Home Minister have committed to restoring statehood at an appropriate time. Apni Party honestly believes that this is an appropriate time to win the confidence of the people, particularly the youth of J&K by restoring the statehood and holding the Assembly Elections at the earliest.”

It also contained the demand for transparent and fast recruitments in J&K. “Recently, it was observed that the merit list for various government vacancies was quashed given the lack of transparency and alleged malpractices. The youth of J&K have immensely suffered due to the quashing of lists, resulting in loss of precious time and looming uncertainty, particularly on account of the age bar. This also results in pendency in filling up departmental posts. It has also been observed that the verification process for such recruitments is cumbersome and time-consuming, hence loses its essence and results in forfeiting equal opportunities to the concerned aspirants.”

The memorandum also demanded the release of the jailed youth. It said, “It has been long since such youth have been in preventive custody. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir is capable and determined to play a positive role in the changed scenario. We strongly believe that integrating the youth of Jammu and Kashmir into the mainstream and providing them with a credible and viable platform, will allow them to contribute to the best in nation-building.”

Moreover, the memorandum demanded the Government of India ensure tax-free apple imports from Iran via Afghanistan is stopped to safeguard the domestic fruit industry.