Srinagar, 6 July (H.S.): Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari today urged the Centre to prioritise J&K’s development projects and reiterated demand for reinstating the gazetted holiday on July 13, in the honour of martyrs.

He appealed to the Union Government to prioritize developmental projects, such as the two proposed tunnels, which will shorten the distance between Bandipora and places like Lolab and Gurez. He also demanded for the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Bukhari made these demands while addressing a party convention held at Bandipora. He said “ July 13—the martyr’s day is nearing. They were people who stood against autocracy and dictatorship and gave their lives in 1931. I reiterate the demand for the restoration of the gazetted holiday on July 13 in their honour.

Urging the Central Government to prioritise UT’s developmental projects, Bukhari said, “I strongly urge the Government of India to give top priority to the long-pending development projects in JKUT—especially the Bandipora- Gurez tunnel, and Bandipora-Lolab via Aloosa tunnel. The Razdan Pass tunnel, in particular, is crucial for the Gurez Valley, which remains cut off during harsh winters,” he added.

He also reiterated his demand for the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and appealed New Delhi to “restore Statehood to J&K without any further delay.”

Ghulam Hassan Mir said that even after nine months in power, the elected Government has failed to meet public expectations and has not fulfilled its own promises to the people. He reiterated his demand urging the Union Government to initiate confidence-building measures and engage with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir in order to address the pressing issues facing the region. He also urged the Centre to hold the pending ULB and Panchayat elections in JKUT.

Senior leaders- Javaid Mustafa Mir, Yawar Dilawar Mir, Syed Shafat Qazmi, GA Wani, Imtiyaz Paray and others were also present.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar