National Conference/Kashmir

Srinagar, July 22: Backing Omar Abdullah-led coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference today reiterated that restoration of autonomy ‘in its pristine form’ was the only solution to the Kashmir problem which was political in nature.
After 7-hour marathon meeting of the National Conference’s Central Working Committee at his Gupkar residence, the party president, Dr Farooq Abdullah said at a press conference that Jammu and Kashmir is a political problem and needs to be resolved politically.
“It has been our consistent stand. If you remember, the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, told a rally during inauguration of the rail service by Prime Minister in Islamabad that Kashmir is a political problem and needs to be solved politically. The CWC resolved that restoration of the autonomy in its pristine form as guaranteed under Constitution of India is the only way to bring peace,” said the senior Abdullah, flanked by the senior party leader and Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather, and party General Secretary, Sheikh Nazir.
However, he said the meeting, which passed an 8-point resolution, made it clear that if there was any solution other than autonomy available to resolve Kashmir and is acceptable to people of the state his party would have no problem in accepting it. The NC’s autonomy proposal, which speaks about restoration of pre-1953 constitutional position in JK—the state having its own Prime Minister instead of the Chief Minister, and Sadar-e-Riyasat-- was passed by the state legislature but rejected by the BJP-led NDA government at the center in 2000.
The 31-member CWC met today to discuss the prevailing situation in the Valley and make introspection at party level. Besides senior Abdullah the meeting was was attended by Omar Abdullah and party leaders including Rather, Mehboob Beg, Ali Muhammad Sagar, Nasir Aslam Wani.
Lending full support to Omar led NC-Congress government, Abdullah said, “The first thing CWC resolved was to back the young dynamic chief minister Omar Abdullah and at the same time the NC thanks UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, and Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh for total support to state government.”
Kashmir is on the edge for past two months almost over the killing of 18 persons particularly youth in different parts of the Valley in police and CRPF action. The valley is witnessing complete shutdown against the killings on the call by the Hurriyat Conference (G) to protest against the killings. Most of the government and private offices, educational institutions and shops are completely shut and traffic is off the roads.
The CWC, Abdullah said, urged the state government to consider release of all political prisoners. In a crackdown against the protesters and separatists, police has reportedly arrested more than 1000 people across Valley in a bid to quell the protests.
Putting all speculation to rest, Abdullah, who is also the union minister for New and Renewable Energy, said there would be no change of leadership at various levels in the party. “These are all speculations,” he responded to a query by a media person.
About the present situation in the Valley, Dr Abdullah said all sections of people should come forward and help to restore normalcy.
The party, he said, “Condemned the loss of lives in the disturbance and urged government to provide adequate relief to the victims’ families.”
Abdullah said party noted with dismay economic losses to traders, vendors and disturbance in academic calendar due to prevailing situation. “Government should deal strictly with forces of subversion to restore peace,” he said.
The party urged state and central government to address at earnest the unemployment problem in the state. It asked state government to bring “suitable modification” in the recently announced employment policy to make it accessible to educated youth. The CWC resolved to take urgent steps for strengthening the party.

8-POINT RESOLUTION

* RESTORATION OF AUTONOMY

*RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS

* SUPPORT TO OMAR-LED GOVERNMENT

* ASKS GOVT TO CURB FORCES OF DESTABILIZATION

* DEMANDS ADEQUATE RELIEF FOR WEAKER SECTIONS
OF SOCIETY

*CONDOLES KILLING OF PEOPLE DURING 
 DISTURBANCE/RELIEF TO VICTIMS’ FAMILIES

* PARTY TO BE STRENGTHENED

* SEEKS SOLUTION TO UNEMPLOYMENT