Early Times Report
Srinagar, Aug 23: Even as in the wake of mob fury in restive Kashmir, the legislators from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janta Pary alliance have been hiding from people, PDP MLA Syed Altaf Bukhari visited his Amira Kadal constituency bringing a "magical" change in the ground situation there overnight.
Sources said the development has brought a ray of hope for Bukhari to regain ministerial berth, the opportunity he lost in the second innings of the PDP-BJP coalition, when Mehbooba Mufti was sworn in as the Chief Minister on April 4.
For the past three days, there have been no reports of stone pelting from Amira Kadal and adjoining Maharaja Bazar localities, otherwise infamous for stone pelting in the ongoing unrest.
After 40 days of continued turmoil in the Valley, Bukhari finally mustered courage to visit his constituency. He was seen in congested Maharaja Bazar talking to inhabitants, mainly youth who came out to meet him.
Bukhari, who arrived in the deserted area in his black bulletproof Scorpio, escorted by three armored vehicles including one of the concerned Shergarhhi Police Station, got down from his vehicle near the municipal shops near Hazuri Bagh.
The MLA arrived to break the frightening calm. On one side it was concertina wires laid by police having sealed the major roads leading to this area, whereas on the other, some of the agitated youth had blocked inner roads in Maharaja Bazar and adjoining Sarai Bala localities.
The youth had been disallowing any vehicle to drive down the Maharaja Bazar street as they pelted stones on such "trespassers"
But as Bukhari alighted from his vehicle, it was a different scene. While some people were already waiting for him, others rushed in within moments to greet him.
Witnesses said even though a group of stone-pelters were watching this all from a distance, none of them interrupted the roadside meeting between the PDP leader and the locals. "It was a hint that Paisa Bolta Hai," said a witness.
While some elderly too came in to have a word with the MLA, Bukhari looked keen to spend time with the youth. "Be quite and don't resort to violence. I can't help you if get booked. Rest I will take care or your interests," Bukhari donning a sky-blue Khan suit and designer black jacket, was quoted as having told the youth.
Subsequently some of the youth shook hands with the PDP leader and waved as his left the spot after the "fruitful meeting".
Bukhari's visit has brought perceptible change, the people and police say. "There has been not a single case of stone pelting in the area since. The business man turned politician's visit has brought the much-needed change and now many of us can open shops while hawkers also operate in the area," said a shopkeeper.
Sources said Bukhari's workers in the area had already done "ground work" to fix his meeting with the inhabitants. "We have been able to convince them (stone pelters)… money makes the mare go," smiled a PDP worker asking not be identified.
Meanwhile the PDP leadership is buoyed with Bukahri's success of reaching out the besieged people.
Though at the onset on unrest in Kashmir in July, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had asked all the PDP lawmakers to be stationed in their respective constituencies, most of them returned to their secure villas in Srinagar within a day, allegedly citing threat to personal security.
Some of them even attacked during the transit.
But while other lawmakers are confined indoors, Bukhari has broken the jinx.
"Situation has really improved in Maharaja Bazar and Amira Kadal localities," admitted a police official.
Some of the PDP ministers, including Naeem Akhter, on the other hand, have been so apprehensive of the situation that they didn't hoist tricolor on the Independence Day, allegedly for fear of threat to life.
But Bukhari, who was mysteriously not retained as minister in the second innings of the PDP BJP alliance, has set a new trend, when his loyalists aspire to see him in power again.
Despite repeated attempts, Bukhari could not be contacted for comments. |
