Srinagar: Demanding restoration of statehood and Assembly elections as soon as possible, Apni Party President Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Monday alleged that bureaucrats don’t want to give the power back to the representatives of the people as they are used to unaccountability in J&K.
Terming the abrogation of special status of J&K and its bifurcation into two Union territories as the biggest heinous thing which could happen to people anywhere, Bukhari said that the assets of Jammu and Kashmir are being given away without consulting the people of the erstwhile state.
“We demand that the statehood should be restored immediately and elections held as soon as possible. People of J&K are presently being governed by a thick skinned bureaucratic set-up that hardly has a sense of belonging with this land or have any other motivational factor to get identified with the pressing problems and sufferings faced by the people,” Bukhari told reporters during a press conference on the first foundation day anniversary of Apni party.
“Bureaucrats don’t want to give the power back to the representatives of the people. They are used to unaccountability. I think we have to push them out as they are not ready to give away the power which they are enjoying right now,” he said.
“What happened with the people of J&K on August 5, 2019 was the biggest heinous thing which could happen with people anywhere. We had given a list of prioritizes when the party came into existence. We had mentioned achievable things and the things which we felt was possible to do, including restoration of statehood, domicile rights for land, jobs and pursuing for early hearing of restoration of special status in Supreme Court (SC)… and return of resident of J&K during COVID-19 pandemic, besides others,” he said.
Hitting at J&K administration, Bukhari said he holds the present dispensation responsible for the mess which has been created in J&K Bank.
“I request them as well as warn then that we are aware what is being done. It is high time they restore the autonomy of the bank and allow it to function… it is the backbone of our economy,” he added.
