NEW DELHI: Top Jurists and political thinkers have urged Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao to immediately grant autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir to help restore normalcy there.
Speaking at a symposium on “Strengthening of the democratic process in Kashmir,” they said “it should reflect the legitimate sentiments of all the three regions of the State for relations between the Center and the State, on the one hand, and between different regions of the State, on the other, are strained.
They also demanded that the Government take necessary steps to insure the early return of Kashmiri migrants to their homes.
The symposium attended by Justice Rajinder Sachar, Justice VM Tarkunde, Prof Saifuddin Soz, Badruddin Tyabji, Kuldip Nayar and Inderjit Gupta, felt that Parliament should adopt a resolution conferring internal autonomy on the State.
The participants felt that for achieving durable peace in the State, it was necessary TO0 ensure early return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley so that they could lead a life of dignity and security.
The speakers said of the Union Government conferred autonomy on the State and made arrangements for early return of the migrants, it would lead to holding of elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
The holding of elections in the State was not only fair and just, but also in conformity with the highest standards of democratic practice, they said, adding that, the restoration of the democratic process will pave the way for normalization of the situation.
Prof Ravinder Kumar Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research and Justice Tarkunde emphasized the need for a frank dialogue with the different sections, including militants to bring about peace in the State.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 12, 1995
