JAMMU: A smiling Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister, brought cheer and hope to thousands of his party workers when he declared in Jammu on Feb.4 that “solution to the Kashmir impasse was not difficult to find now.”

While he did not spell out how he was going to end the stalemate and what had the Center offered him, Dr, Abdullah said “Yes, lam hopeful peace will return to our Kashmir.”

Sources close to National Conferences (NC), however, said the Prime Minister had given the former Chief Minister his “go ahead” and had even offered the Governorship of the State to him and restoration of the pre1953 position.

But the sources stressed that it was up to the people of the State to accept or reject the offer,

Asked how the people of the State, particularly those in the valley, could accept such an offer while the gun reigned supreme and fear gripped one and all, these NC sources said “When people wake up, guns will become silent.”

Dr.Abdullah was accorded a turnultuius welcome at the airport, by his party men from various of the Jammu division. In a brief speech he asked them to pray “in your temples, mosques and gurdwaras for peace in the State.” He said the situation in Kashmir valley was difficult but not un surmountable. He had been invited to Delhi by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and asked to help in the restoration of normalcy and he had decided to take up the challenge. National Conference sources said Dr.Abdullah, had held detailed discussions with the Central leaders and Kashmiri stalwarts like Dr.Qasim, ML Fotedar, Ghulam Rasool, Ghulam Nabi Azad, PL Hando and others and all of them had advised him to return to Jammu and Kashmir and “face the problem lock, stock and barrel.”

The majority of the Congress leaders in the State, well aware of the NC’s strength in Kashmir valley, are also keen to see Dr.Abdullah take interest and initiative in finding a solution to the Kashmir imbroglio. They are opposed to the restoration of the pre1953 status which gives the Indian state control over defense, foreign affairs, communications and currency only.

Dr.Abdullah had made it clear to the Center five months ago that he would not return to Kashmir empty-handed and had suggested an economic and political package for the State.

He had asked the Prime Minister to specify the “quantum of autonomy” the Center was ready to give to the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

However, the NC leader could not then salsify the urges and aspirations of the Hindu majority in Jammu and the Buddhist majority in Leh district who want a closer link with the Indian Union and abrogation of Article 370.

The NC sources said Dr. Abdullah had come to Jammu to find out the perceptions of his party’s rank and file.

He would go to Kashmir on Saturday to find the response of the common Kashmiri Muslims to the package for settlement envisaged by him.

Since the six year term of the State Assembly is coming to an end next month, there is no possibility of any further extension of President’s rule beyond June unless Parliament amends the Constitution by a two third majority, which the Congress party lacks.

Unless the law and order situation

returns to normal, there is no possibility of early elections in Jammu and Kashmir, who feel more alienated after the Sopore camage.

But surprisingly the Center had appointed R.C Join, a retired IAS officer of the MP cadre, to replace Lt Gen M.A.Zaki, who relinquished office as Governor’s advisor last week.

Article extracted from this publication >>  February 12, 1993