Apni Party chief says young people should not suffer because of their relatives’ past, raises concerns over police verification and shrinking job opportunities
SRINAGAR — J&K Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has appealed to the Central Government to announce a general amnesty for people facing cases linked to the militancy period of the 1990s. He said many families in Jammu and Kashmir continue to face difficulties because of cases registered decades ago.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Bukhari appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to consider his demand, saying that much had changed in Jammu and Kashmir since the 1990s.
He said several people who were involved in activities during that period had later joined mainstream politics. Their children and grandchildren, he added, were also choosing to follow the path of mainstream politics.
Bukhari said people who had already served their prison sentences, as well as those facing pending cases, should be considered for relief.
He said pending FIRs and police verification were creating problems for many people, particularly when applying for government jobs and passports.
He also questioned why young people should face difficulties because of the alleged activities of their family members.
“A son whose father passed away when he was still in his mother’s womb, where is the justice in punishing him today for his father’s past?” Bukhari asked.
He also spoke about cases where a person’s uncle or grandfather had been accused of involvement in activities during the 1990s, saying that their relatives should not have to suffer because of those allegations.
Bukhari warned that if the situation continued, more young people could find themselves facing difficulties in getting jobs and other opportunities despite having no personal connection to those cases.
“I appeal that this process must be brought to a halt somewhere. Otherwise, a day will come when the entire Kashmir will fall under the ambit of this verification process,” he said.
He also said that sporadic militant attacks should not affect the lives of ordinary people or undo the peace that people in Jammu and Kashmir were trying to build.
Referring to the security situation, Bukhari said the government could not expect all violence to end immediately, given the long border and the situation in the region.
He maintained that ordinary people should not continue to face suspicion and restrictions.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir chose the path of peace after 2019, but they have received nothing in return from the other side,” he said.
Taking a dig at the government’s approach, Bukhari said the promised “healing touch” had instead become a “sealing touch”.
“No local resident is now supporting militancy or providing shelter to militants. However, their children are not getting verification clearances or jobs,” he said.
He said people continued to face police checks and restrictions and were still struggling to get basic facilities and dignity.
“Something must come from the other side as well,” Bukhari said, urging the Central Government to address the issues and ensure that people who had chosen peace also saw a positive change in their everyday lives.
