LAGATAR24 Desk
New Delhi, April 5: Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, a former leader of the People’s Democratic Party and the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party, is now protected by the “Z+” category armed Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), according to high-ranking government sources.
During a recent security review meeting, the Ministry of Home Affairs decided to provide security based on a threat analysis conducted by the Intelligence Bureau.
Altaf Bukhari, a former minister and businessman who entered politics, would have constant “Z+” protection in Jammu and Kashmir.
As an alternative to local parties like the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), of which he had previously been a member, Bukhari floated the J&K Apni Party (JKAP).
The Apni Party was established in March 2020, eight months after Articles 370 and 35A were repealed. Its members are primarily lawmakers and former ministers. Since then, it has gained the support of about two dozen lawmakers from various groups.
All of the party’s major leaders met with PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in March 2020 and urged them to protect the jobs and land rights of the people of J&K.
Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Bukhari, were grateful for the party’s efforts. A number of rallies have been held by the Apni Party in an effort to influence voters, particularly in Kashmir.
Last year, it also conducted a massive protest in Srinagar, which is regarded as one of the largest in the Valley following August 5, 2019.
Bukhari had stated that he was open to forging an alliance with the BJP despite the Apni Party openly criticising the government for its anti-encroachment drive.
