Farooq Abdullah: Autonomy alone can restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir; Mehbooba Mufti proposes Regional Council; Salahuddin: HM to review its armed struggle if New Delhi agrees for tri-partite talks
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    • Addressing a public meeting at Dharhal in Rajouri district on April 2, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah asserted that autonomy was the only viable solution to the Kashmir problem. He however added that his party was open for discussion on the issue even if any solution better than autonomy was put forth. Dr Abdullah further stated that the National Conference wanted Jammu and Kashmir to remain as a single entity and that it would never allow for the division of the state on the basis of ethnical or regional identity1.

    Meanwhile, Mehbooba Mufti, the president of the PDP proposed the setting up of a Regional Council comprising members of assemblies of both parts of Kashmir. Delivering a lecture organised by the SAFMA in Islamabad, she emphasised the need for the new Pakistan government to accord the same priority to the Kashmir issue as the previous governments2.

    Kashmir Times reported that Syed Salahuddin, the chief of the Hizbul Mujahiddin (HM), the largest armed groups in the Kashmir valley, had stated that his group might consider reviewing its armed struggle in the Valley if India agrees for tripartite talks on the Kashmir issue. He warned that Kashmiris would not accept any other solution on the issue except that of self-determination as mandated by the UN resolutions. Salahuddin added that though HM wanted Kashmir to accede to Pakistan, it was up to people of Kashmir whether they wanted to do so, or remain independent or continue to live with India3.

    Meanwhile, a joint team of police and army gunned down four dreaded HM militants including the outfit’s chief commander Badshah Khan in a fierce four hour-long encounter at Arital in Reasi district on April 94.

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