JAMMU: The Jammu Mukti Morcha on June 24 criticized the demand by Kashmin and some national leaders for grant of greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, “Such a demand and solution to the Kashmir problem as projected by these leaders ignores the basic fact that Kashmir is not whole of the Jammu and Kashmir Stale,” a statement issued by JMM said here on Monday.
It noted that Jammu and Kashmir consists of three distinct regions which have altogether different culture, history and political aspirations. “The people of Jammu and Ladakh regions have been discriminated against in all walks of life by the Kashmiri leaders,” the statement alleged, Even the Central Governments from time to time have favored more integration with India and opposed vehemently any move of secession or attempt to loosen the bonds between the State and the rest of the country, it added. The statement said the people’s participation in the recently held Lok Sabha elections in the State despite a boycott call given by the militant organizations and abstention of Farooq Abdullah’s National Conference from the elections on the pretext of grant of greater autonomy to the State or restoration of pre1953 position clearly showed that for a common man, greater autonomy was not an issue, JMM believes that greater autonomy, as being proposed, shall make the future of Jammu and Kashmir State more uncertain and would invite more interference from Pakistan and of international powers, the JMM statement said.
The party warmed the Kashmiri leaders and Central Government that any such “retrograde” step shall invite 4 violent reaction from the people of Jammu and Ladakh regions. It said that Jammu and Ladakh should not be dragged with Kashmir and reiterated its demand for division of the State into three States of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir. After the Central Government can negotiate with various sections of the people of Kashmir to arrive at an everlasting solution to the Kashmir problem, JMM suggested. Any other step could be counterproductive, the statement cautioned.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 26, 1996
