Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 3: Asserting that the people of Kashmir cannot be separated from the people of Jammu, Apni Party president, Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari today said that 149-years-old Darbar Move should resume as the biannual move of Civil Secretariat bring the people of two regions close to each other.
Various deputations today called on Apni Party president, Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari at the party office in Gandhi Nagar and appraised him about issues being confronted by them. Their main concern was about stopping the practice of biannual Darbar move, commercialization of historic Mubarak Mandi Palace, issues of business community etc.
Addressing the deputations, Altaf Bukhari said that the Government should resume the bi-annual practice of Darbar move as it provided opportunity of cultural exchange, better relationship between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and boosts financial activities for six months in Jammu city and vice-e-versa.
“When Darbar is in the Winter capital, the employees with their families shift to Jammu from parts of Kashmir which helps in the growth of the economy of Jammu for six months and brings the people of two regions close to each other. Cultural exchange is important for a society which has seen difficult times in the past. Therefore, the Government should resume the practice of Darbar move which is in the interest of people of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Bukhari.
Expressing his displeasure over an attempt to convert the heritage site i.e., Mubarak Mandi Palace into a hotel, he said that the deputations which met him have expressed their anger over the decision of the Government.
“For how long the vandalization will continue. It is unfortunate that the decision to convert our heritage site into a hotel is taken by those who do not know about our history and historical importance of the Mubarak Mandi Palace. We will not tolerate the vandalization of our culture and history,” he said and appealed to the Lt Governor for his intervention so that the Palace is preserved and protected as a heritage site.
Meanwhile, a deputation of traders from Kanak Mandi also called on Bukhari and discussed parking issue with him. They were assured that their issue will be taken up for its early redressal. A deputation of people living in Custodian houses also called on him and highlighted their demands.
Another deputation of dentists also called on him. On listening to their issues, Bukhari suggested that the Government should employ them in NRHM.
Besides, a deputation from Keshwan, Kishtwar led by Sarpanch Farooq Krinban also met Bukhari.
General secretaries of AP, Vijay Bakaya and Vikram Malhotra and provincial president, Jammu, Manjit Singh were present on the occasion.
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