Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 8: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari today urged the CM Omar Abdullah to use his authority to extend the eligibility criteria for domicile rights from 15 years to a 50-year residency requirement.
Addressing a party convention at Srinagar today Bukhari said, “You (Omar) are also holding the Revenue portfolio. Change the domicile rules to protect the rights of J&K’s indigenous residents. Make 50 years of residency in J&K- a condition for domicile eligibility. This is in your hands. At the very least, you should do it.”
The Apni Party convention was held today to celebrate party’s sixth foundation day. Bukhari said, “Apni Party was established after August 5, 2019, when J&K’s rights, including its special powers, were revoked. After founding the party on March 8, 2020, we took up the issues of land and jobs with New Delhi leaders.
“We successfully convinced New Delhi and secured the protection of land and jobs for the people of J&K. We ensured the release of 3,100 detainees. At that time, we also urged the Union Government to extend the 15-year residency requirement for domicile rights in J&K. We were told that this decision should be left to the elected government in J&K. ”
“Now, we have an elected government and I urge Chief Minister to amend the domicile rules by extending the residency requirement from 15 years to 50 years,” Bukhari added.
Talking about core agenda of Apni Party and its leadership, Bukhari said, “We formed this party to stand with the people during those challenging times. We aimed to strive for the protection of the rights of J&K and its people. We sought to ensure the political empowerment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
“Today, on the sixth foundation day of this party, I reaffirm that we will continue to pursue our agenda and policies, no matter what,” he assured.
Senior leaders Rafi Ahmad Mir, Mohd Ashraf Mir, Hilal Ahmad Shah; Muntazir Mohiuddin, Yawar Mir; Jagmohan Singh Raina and Raja Manzoor were also present on the occasion.
Similar function was held at Jammu under the leadership of party senior vice president, Ghulam Hassan Mir.
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