Jammu, 15 June (H.S.): Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari today said that his party remains committed to ensuring that all the concerns and challenges faced by farmers in Jammu and Kashmir are addressed promptly. He said his party will protect the rights, interests, and livelihoods of the farming community across the Union Territory.

He was addressing a workers’ convention at Kotli Shah Doula, in RS Pura along with senior vice president Ghulam Hassan Mir today. The event saw a large turnout of farmers from Jammu district and nearby areas. This event was organised by president of Apni Party’s Kisan Wing head and former Sarpanch Badri Nath Sharma.

Expressing deep concern over the forcible eviction drives targeting traditional farmlands in various areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Bukhari said that the Government must remember that these actions have become a major source of distress for farmers, who are the backbone of society and the driving force of the economy.

He said, “In many cases where the Government has already acquired agricultural land, the owners have not been provided compensation in accordance with the prevailing market value.”

“At some places in RS Pura, farmers were in possession of agricultural land even though they did not own it. However, they had possessory rights over the land and were therefore entitled to receive due compensation upon being dispossessed. Unfortunately, these farmers have yet to receive this compensation,” he said.Geographic Reference

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar