Altaf Bukhari Seeks General Amnesty for 1990s Cases, Restoration of J&K Statehood

By : Alia Kashmiri

Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Thursday urged the Government of India to announce a general amnesty for people involved in cases related to anti-national activities during the 1990s and subsequent years. He also called for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, meaningful political dialogue, and immediate local body elections.

Addressing a press conference at the Apni Party headquarters in Srinagar, Bukhari said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had increasingly chosen peace and normalcy. He argued that those who had been misled during the troubled years should be given an opportunity to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into mainstream society.

Altaf Bukhari Appeals to PM Modi and Amit Shah for General Amnesty

Bukhari said that several young people had been influenced by narratives during the 1990s that went against peace and stability. However, he maintained that circumstances had changed considerably and many individuals had since returned to the mainstream.

He also pointed out that even the children and grandchildren of leaders who were active during that period were now becoming part of mainstream society.

Against this backdrop, the Apni Party chief appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to consider granting a general amnesty to individuals facing cases related to that period.

According to Bukhari, numerous FIRs continue to create difficulties for people who want to lead normal lives. He said these cases have affected their ability to obtain passports, secure government employment and find opportunities in the private sector.

Bukhari Raises Concerns Over Police Verification for Youth

The Apni Party President also expressed concern over the denial of police verification certificates to young people seeking employment and other opportunities.

He alleged that some youngsters were facing difficulties in obtaining police verification because of the past involvement of their family members in the turmoil of the 1990s.

Bukhari argued that young people should not be punished for the actions of their relatives and should have equal opportunities to pursue education, employment and a better future.

He urged the authorities to review such practices and ensure that the younger generation does not face unnecessary obstacles because of their family’s past.

Apni Party Chief Criticises Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Policy

Bukhari also criticised the existing reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as unfair and harmful to merit-based opportunities.

He claimed that nearly 70 per cent of government posts were reserved for different categories and warned that the current system could increasingly limit opportunities for Kashmiri youth.

He said people in Kashmir had already experienced decades of difficulties and should not face further disadvantages when competing for employment.

Referring to the suffering caused by the prolonged conflict, Bukhari said thousands of families had lost loved ones, while many people continued to face hardships.

He described the reservation policy as a serious concern and called for a fair system that protects the interests of all sections of society.

Bukhari Demands Meaningful Political Dialogue with Centre

The Apni Party President reiterated his demand for meaningful and inclusive dialogue between the Government of India and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the absence of a proper political process had increased public dissatisfaction and left several important issues unresolved.

Bukhari stressed that dialogue was necessary to rebuild public confidence, strengthen peace and prevent further loss of innocent lives.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2021 promise to reduce the distance between Delhi and the hearts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said the commitment should now be translated into concrete action.

He maintained that the people had expected the elected government and the Centre to address their grievances, but many of those expectations remained unfulfilled.

Demand for Immediate Panchayat and ULB Elections

Bukhari also expressed concern over the delay in holding Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

He termed the delay a denial of people’s democratic and constitutional rights and demanded that the elections be conducted without further postponement.

According to Bukhari, nearly 17,000 panchs and sarpanchs are to be elected through the grassroots democratic process.

He said holding these elections would strengthen local democracy and allow people to participate directly in decisions affecting their communities.

The Apni Party chief also accused the ruling party of deliberately delaying the elections to avoid sharing political power at the grassroots level.

Special Electricity Bill Relief for Poor Families

Addressing the electricity crisis, Bukhari said frequent power cuts and rising electricity bills had placed an additional financial burden on ordinary households.

He urged the government to introduce a special amnesty or waiver for outstanding electricity dues owed by poor and economically weaker families who cannot afford to clear their bills.

He said the authorities should consider the financial difficulties of ordinary people and provide relief to those struggling with electricity payments.

Altaf Bukhari Calls for Restoration of Jammu and Kashmir Statehood

Bukhari once again demanded the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, urging the Government of India to fulfil its commitment without further delay.

He said the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister had previously promised to restore statehood and that the people were still waiting for the commitment to be honoured.

The Apni Party President also referred to earlier political commitments made to Jammu and Kashmir, including promises dating back to 1947, arguing that the region had a long history of unfulfilled assurances.

He maintained that restoring statehood, addressing public grievances and restarting the political process were essential steps towards strengthening public trust and ensuring lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

Bukhari’s remarks covered several major public issues, including the proposed general amnesty for 1990s-era cases, youth employment, reservation policy, electricity bills, grassroots elections and the restoration of statehood.