Jammu, May 06: Asserting that restoration of autonomy will help in solving Kashmir issue, National Conference leader and former minister Abdul Rahim rather today said that it will also strengthen the relationship of the state with the Centre. Autonomy has remained the heartbeat of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and its erosion since accession of the state with India has been the primary cause for Kashmir discontent, rather told reporters here. National Conference therefore has been consistently demanding restoration of autonomy in its present form to Jammu and Kashmir, he said, adding the state legislature while approving the report of state autonomy committee through a resolution had urged the Centre to take positive and effective steps for implementation of the same. "The Central government, instead of discussing the report with the then Farooq Abdullah led government, rejected it to the shock of the people," rather said and added but the Centre's interlocutor N N Vohra during his recent visit to Srinagar discussed the autonomy issue with the party delegation.
Accusing Centre of "duplicity" on the issue, the National Conference leader said even Vohra told NC delegation has been given mandate to discuss all parameters of autonomy.
Bureau Report