SRINAGAR: Apni Party president Syed Mohd Altaf Bukhari has said that the violence in all its manifestations has severely impacted peace, progress and good governance in Jammu and Kashmir. Bukhari was addressing a day-long Party convention at Chougan, Kishtwar attended by a large gathering of the locals.
“The impact of armed violence negatively influences development, peace and good governance, often by creating a climate of impunity, corruption and by undermining public institutions,” he said, while appealing the youth to shun the path of violence and contribute in promotion of peace and stability in the region. Bukhari said that peace and harmony are imperative for progress and development in Jammu and Kashmir. “Yesterday in Srinagar, a young police officer who was yet to be confirmed was killed in cold blood.
The incident didn’t inflict miseries to his family alone but added to the already agonizing situation in Kashmir,” he added. Reminding Prime Minister Modi of his statement that development should be a mass movement in Jammu and Kashmir, Bukhari regretted the alienation and a feeling of neglect among the youth of Kishtwar who feel dejected about the recruitment process carried out by the power projects in the region. He appealed the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister to involve local people in the Power projects undertaken in the area. “The development cannot be about the statistical number but it should reflect an improvement in the social, human and environmental capital.
Government of India must ensure that the local youth are engaged in the recently-launched Union funded Power projects in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added. Bukhari said that Nature has bestowed Kishtwar with abundant water resources which will have at least five major new power projects Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kewar, Dul Hasti-II and revived Ratle and a common expectation among the local youth is that they should be given priority in getting employment in these projects. Under CSR the Hydro-power companies must provide funds for the upgradation of roads, building hospitals and educational institutions in Kishtwar.
He ridiculed the J&K Govt for its remarks about spending Rs 6000 crores on power purchases. He said this was not a favour to the people of J&K if the Government spends this much amount annually on power purchases. It is a subsidy given to the 1.35 crore people whose natural resources are being utilized for the power generation consumed by the rest of the country.
Senior party leaders, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Syed Asgar Ali, Vikram Malhotra, Manjeet Singh, Ex- MLA Faqir Nath, Mohinder Parihar (District president Kishtwar) and others also spoke on the occasion.
