Outsiders buying land in Srinagar, NC must be held accountable for demographic changes: Altaf Bukhari

J&K Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday (September 27, 2026) claimed that outsiders were buying land in Kashmir, and the ruling National Conference (NC) must be held accountable if any demographic change occurred in Jammu and Kashmir.

“It is the government’s responsibility to prevent any attempt to change demography. Who allowed Mumbai-based Chawla sahib to purchase land for a hotel in Syedpora and a Delhi-based company to acquire 150 kanals in Chatterhama Hazratbal, despite the fact that such activities are not permissible under the existing domicile laws of Jammu and Kashmir?” Mr. Bukhari said at a public speech in Srinagar.

Mr. Bukhari, who quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to float his own party after the abrogation of J&K’s special status in 2019, said the NC had sought votes on the planks of restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, and Statehood.

“When people voted [for the NC], they forgot the history of the party’s deceptive promises. In 1953, the party raised the slogan of raishumari (plebiscite), but eventually ended up accepting the Chief Minister’s chair in 1975, with the support of the Congress, [which was] described as gandi nali ke keeday (worms from a sewer) by the NC. In 2000, it (the NC) passed a resolution seeking greater autonomy, but later did not pursue it,” Mr. Bukhari said.

After returning to power in 2009, the NC government did not take any initiative to pursue this “so-called demand for autonomy”, he said. “It was never serious about the demand. It was merely a slogan to secure votes. During its tenure from 2009 to 2014, the NC government only killed people here. Even today, the NC and PDP continue to accuse each other over their respective records of the killing of innocents during their tenures,” Mr. Bukhari said.

He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate a direct dialogue with the people of J&K “to address their issues and grievances”. “The prevailing trust deficit will not end until direct talks are held between the Centre and the people, particularly the youth of J&K. It is of utmost importance that dil aur Dilli ki dooriyan (the gap between hearts and the Centre) be bridged through meaningful dialogue,” he said.

Mr. Bukhari also expressed displeasure over the continued disruptions and daily uproar in the J&K Assembly. “People expected the government to come up with concrete initiatives to generate employment opportunities, address the issue of detainees, and fulfil the promises made to them during the election campaign, including the provision of 200 units of free electricity, and free gas cylinders. People’s issues deserve serious attention in the Assembly,” he said.