Srinagar, Aug 22: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari has hit out at the government over the 6.83 per cent increase in electricity tariffs in Jammu and Kashmir, saying he was “not surprised” by the move and accusing the government of taking steps that would trouble the people.
Bukhari was speaking to reporters during a felicitation function for Muhammad Syed Akhoon, who has recently joined the Apni Party.
“It was a felicitation function for Muhammad Syed Akhoon, who has recently joined our Jamaat. We all wanted to celebrate this day as a happy day,” Bukhari said.
Asked about reports that electricity bills would increase from September 1, Bukhari said, “I am not surprised at all. I think this government is made to trouble people.”
He said he would not be surprised if the government took what he described as a “selfish step”, but assured people that his party would make efforts to oppose such measures.
“Maybe they will take such a selfish step. But we assure people that we will do our best to stop these people from doing such things,” he said.
“We will see that we will not let these draconian measures to trouble people,” Bukhari added.
The remarks came against the backdrop of the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission’s approval of an average 6.83 per cent increase in electricity tariffs, with the revised rates scheduled to take effect from September 1.
During the interaction, Bukhari also spoke about women’s safety and the recent incident in Kishtwar. He said women were not safe anywhere and described the situation as a matter of shame.
“Women are not safe anywhere. It is a matter of bad luck,” he said.
“We are ashamed. Is this Jammu and Kashmir? Is this true Jammu and Kashmir?” Bukhari added.
Referring to the incident that took place in Kishtwar the previous day, he called for the harshest punishment.
“I would like to say that the incident that took place yesterday in Kishtawar should be punished with death,” he said.
He also urged the administration and police to ensure that such cases were dealt with through fast-track proceedings so that those responsible were punished and the proceedings served as a deterrent.
“I would like to say to the administration and police that these cases should be punished on a fast track so that it is a lesson for others,” he said.
Asked about a statement by Sajjad Shaheen describing the 2014 alliance with the BJP as a “historical betrayal”, Bukhari declined to react.
“I don’t think that I should react to their statement,” he said.
Bukhari was also asked about a statement by the US ambassador that Kashmir is an important part of India. He said the statement did not surprise him.
“I don’t think that it is surprising to us,” he said.
“We are a part of India,” Bukhari said, adding that he did not want the US ambassador to merely state that Jammu and Kashmir is an important part of India.
“We don’t want the US ambassador to say that we are an important part of India. We want the people of India to understand that Jammu and Kashmir is an important part of India,” he said.
Bukhari stressed that greater attention should be paid to the sentiments and concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We should take care of the emotions and feelings of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He also called for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to be protected.
“We should take care of the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Bukhari said.
He concluded by stressing the need to protect the lives of the people of the region.
“We should take care of the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
