SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said on Friday that the restoration of autonomy was the primary task before his government but refused to set any deadline for this. Replying to the three-day debate on the vote of thanks on Governor’s address in the state Assembly here on Friday, Dr. Abdullah said that his Government would try its best to solve all the problems faced by the state Assembly here on Friday. Autonomy was the main problem and his government would see to it that it is restored by the Central Government as early as possible, He, however, refused to give any time frame for this as was demanded by some legislators of his party. The Chief Minister assured the opposition members that his government would not do anything to weaken the relations between the state and the country. “But we have made a promise to the people on autonomy,” he said “and the restoration of it is our first job”.
Dr. Abdullah said that there were pro Pakistan and pro-independence voices in the state and “We have taken the middle path”. “It was our right which was taken away from us for some reasons”, he said, “and this should not be restored”. The Chief Minister said that a committee headed by former Sadare Riyasat Dr. Karan Singh was being constituted which would negotiate with the Center on the issue of autonomy. The committee will holds talks with the opposition parties also. He said that his government was committed to autonomy to all the three regions — Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh and he would himself head the committee for regional autonomy. Dr. Abdullah Tam basted the leaders of the All Party Hurriyat Conference for their secessionist ideals and lamented that “they are talking of Pakistan while living in India”. He expressed anguish at being called a “BAL Thackeray” and said that the Hurriyat leaders were enemies of the country and they were to be fought against. The Congress Legislature Party leader Mehbooba Sayeed had on Thursday castigated the Chief Minister for his threat to Hurriyat leaders to pack them off to Pakistan and equated him with Sbiv Sena chief BAL Thackeray. The Chief Minister alleged that the Hurriyat leaders had no sympathy for the people and were responsible for the death and destruction in the state. “Do you suggest that I should stand by their side?” he asked. Dr Abdullah appreciated the ‘generosity of India” which issued them passports and allowed them to visit foreign countries. “But see what are they talking in Washington, London and Iran” he said. Dr. Abdullah reiterated that he had not shut his doors on anyone and said he was ready for talks. “Let them come and talk in a democratic way,” he said and added. “I will not accept anything at gun point”. The Chief Minister once again impressed upon the legislators to take security precautions seriously as the militancy was far from over and they could strike at any stage.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 30, 1996
