 Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, June 16: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday voiced deep concern over what he described as the ongoing "pakad-dhakad" in various areas across the Valley. He said that since Jammu and Kashmir has been experiencing sustained peace and normalcy for a considerable period, there is no justification for such random arrests.
He also reiterated his long-standing demand for amnesty for detainees, saying that justice must prevail and that those who have been behind bars for many years should be given an opportunity to live a normal life with their families.
The Apni Party chief made these remarks today while addressing a party event at the party headquarters in Srinagar.
The event was organised to extend a warm welcome to dozens of political and social activists from South Kashmir's Tral area into the Apni Party fold. These new entrants, including both men and women, were previously affiliated with parties such as the NC, PDP, and Congress.
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and other senior party leaders warmly welcomed the new members during the event.
Addressing the occasion, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari strongly reiterated his demand for the release of detainees.
He said, "I have consistently conveyed to the administration and the government, including the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the Hon'ble Home Minister that it is imperative to consider granting them amnesty. I say this because I firmly believe that these prisoners deserve to be pardoned."
He further said, "Except for those involved in heinous crimes, all detainees must be released. Even those accused of serious crimes deserve a fair trial so that they can be punished in accordance with the law of the land, and not beyond it. Some of the accused have remained behind bars for years, yet their trials have not been initiated so far, or their cases are yet to reach some conclusion. They deserve justice."
Referring to Apni Party's vision, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, "Before the 2024 Assembly elections, we had promised that, if we came to power, we would announce an amnesty for prisoners. We had proposed setting 31 October 2024 as the cut-off date for such an initiative. We would have released detainees upon their oath to shun their earlier path and remain loyal to the country and the nation. However, we did not receive the mandate."
Emphasising that the issues and challenges facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir can only be resolved within the framework of the country and not through any external force, he said, "We are citizens of this country. Since 1947, our destiny has been tied to it. Therefore, the redressal of our problems and issues will come from this country, not from Islamabad, Washington, London, or any other place. We may have grievances and demands, but they can and should be addressed by our own country, not by anyone else." |
