SRINAGAR: The premier political parties of Jammu and Kashmir last week extended Support to the National Conference’s demand for restoration of pre1953 position to the state. Addressing an all-party meeting organized by the National Conference (NC), the State’s main political party, state leaders of Congress, Janata Dal, CPI and CPM reiterated their Stand that Kashmir is a part of India and that they are Indians. “People of Kashmir need a healing touch rather than immediate elections,’ the speakers said.

M.Y. Targami, state secretary of GPM, Abdul Rehman, state secretary of CPI, Adbul Aziz Zarger, former minister and Congress leader, Pir Giyasuddin, former minister and Janata Dal leader, assured the NC leadership that they will stand by them in their fight for the “right cause.” Referring to the stand of the United Front Government that article 370 of the Constitution, guaranteeing special status to Jammu and Kashmir, would be protected, the leaders said the demand for greater autonomy is not new but what people of Kashmir wanted is the “restoration of Article 370, which has been eroded during the past 50 years.”

The NE president and former state Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, while thanking the leaders for their support to his party, said, “Goal of internal autonomy is not easy to achieve but the struggle will continue.” “We are not demanding autonomy for Kashmiris alone but for Ladakhis and Jammuites as well,” he said. Dr. Abdullah said, “We are not for Pakistan or independence. We want our right, for which we will struggle till it is achieved. People of Kashmir will remain with India but with their heads high,” he said.

He cautioned the people about the “conspiracies” being hatched by “vested interests” to mislead the people of Jammu and Ladakh about the demand for greater autonomy by the state. Referring to the gunning down for Syed Ahmad Syed, former NC MLA, outside his Narbal residence last week, the NC president said, “Syed Sahib was killed to scare away National Conference supporters. National Conference is a force which cannot be scared or stopped,” Dr. Abdullah said.

Article extracted from this publication >>  July 17, 1996