Bukhari group gathers more stream, Hakim Yasin joins in

25, including many ex legislators, attend meeting

Srinagar, Dec 12: Chairman Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) Hakim Muhammad Yasin and former MLC Javaid Ahmad Mirchal were among others who turned up in the meeting of newly emerging political group in Kashmir on Sunday.
Former minister Hakim Muhammad Yasin, who has represented Khansahab Assembly segment five times, was present in the maiden meeting of the group held today at Altaf Bukhari’s residence- cum- office at Sheikh Bagh, Lal Chowk here.
A former MLA who was present in the meeting, told The News Now that 25 political leaders including former MLAs and MLCs, attended the meeting. “Apart from Hakim Muhammad Yasin, Javaid Ahmad Mirchal also turned up in the meeting. Yawar Mir was also there,” he said, adding that Shoaib Nabi Lone of Congress also attended the meeting.
Yawar Mir’s resignation from PDP was no surprise as it was expected after his father Muhammad Dilawar Mir was expelled by the party for meeting Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu and foreign envoys earlier this month. Dilawar Mir is relative of Altaf Bukhari. The former MLA said the group discussed the strategy to be adopted for restoration of J&K’s statehood.
“We decided the ways and means for restoration of statehood and protection of exclusive rights of J&K’s erstwhile permanent residents of erstwhile J&K,” he said.
It is worthwhile to mention here that group has already decided to look beyond Article 370 which conferred special status to J&K before August 5.
The new group emerged last week after Altaf Bukhari, former minster, and seven other ex- legislators met LG G C Murmu at Raj Bhavan Jammu and demanded restoration of J&K’s statehood.
On January 9, Rafi Ahmad Mir (former MLA Pahalgam), Abdur Rahim Rather( former MLA Kokernag) and Abdul Majid Padder( (former MLA Noorabad) were part of Bukhari-led which met foreign envoys at Hotel Grand Lalit here.
On the same day, PDP expelled all those who met LG and foreign envoys, saying they have gone against will of the people by holding parleys with government.