Eight former legislators led by Syed Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday became the first group of mainstream politicians to open the channels of communication with the office of Jammu & Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor and making a slew of demands including restoration of statehood.
The delegation met Lt Governor GC Murmu in Jammu and submitted a 15-point memorandum demanding rights of people over land and jobs be safeguarded, detainees be released and cases against youth be withdrawn among others.
Accompanied by former ministers Ghulam Hassan Mir, Mohd Dilawar Mir, former MLA’s Javed Hassan Beig, Noor Mohd Sheikh, Choudhary Qamar Hussain, , Raja Manzoor Ahmad, former MLC’s Zafar Iqbal and Syed Asghar Ali, Bukhari demanded restoration of statehood, protection of rights over land and jobs, immediate release of detainees and restoration of internet services etc, during their maiden meeting with the Lt-Governor here in Raj Bhawan, Jammu.
The cavalcade of these political leaders reached Raj Bhawan, shortly after 2.30 p.m where they remained closeted with the Lt-Governor for about one hour.
Drawing attention of the Lt-Governor towards the socio-political and economic situation that emerged since August 5, 2019 (Nullification of Article 370 and reorganisation of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir), the delegation leaders submitted in their memorandum that the majority of its residents are yet to reconcile with this decision.
Highlighting the demand for restoration of statehood, delegation led by Altaf Bukhari claimed, “majority of people in Jammu and Kashmir feel hurt and there are vocal concerns wherein they feel their decades long privileges were unceremoniously curtailed”. The delegation leaders also maintained, “To win over the confidence of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the centre will have to re-examine its decades old policies vis-a-vis Kashmir”.
Referring to the emotive issue of safeguarding rights over land and jobs, the delegation leaders maintained that the most important issue can be addressed by tangible legal and constitutional safeguards that can be put in place by virtue of which protection of Domicile Rights including that of reservation for the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir in the matter of employment and that of admissions to professional courses is ensured.
To fulfil the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir, the delegation leaders also demanded withdrawal of cases against youth, restoration of JK Bank’s functional dominion, reviving horticulture and agriculture sectors,support for industry and manufacturing sector, tourism and allies industries and their revival, restoration of internet, relief for general trader including shop keepers, bus and Raxi owners, relief for unemployed youth and National Highway and Regional connectivity within J&K and cap on airfares.