Sheikh –Indira accord viable base for Kashmir resolution: Congress

Scoop News September 21, 2010

Jammu, September 21 (Scoop News) - The Jammu unit of Congress party today told the ALL Party Delegation(APD) that the NC- led coalition government was capable of restoring peace in the state and it was working to keep the state united by ensuring balanced development of all the three regions of the state.

The congress delegation that met APD here today told media persons that the party underlined the need for restoration of peace and acceleration of the ongoing developmental activities to reach out the people at the grass root level.

Former Deputy Chief Minister and senior congress Mangat Ram Sharma who led the congress delegation said that the congress conveyed that there was need for meeting the developmental aspiration of the people.

Member Parliament, Udhampur- Kathua constituency ,Ch Lal Singh said that the delegation also brought it home to the APD that there was a need to act tough against the separatists responsible for the present spate of violence in the valley. He said that it was also conveyed that some forces are using the opportunity to grab Power.

Senior NC leader Amrit Malothra said that the Party also expressed that the Sheikh- Indira accord can be made basis for resolution of the Kashmir issue. He said that the party also opined that while there was no scope for discussing ‘Azadi’, demand of autonomy was something negotiable.

Meanwhile National Conference has reiterated its stand that the political solution to the Kashmir issue can be reached only by extending of autonomy, besides initiating concrete Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) including withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from peaceful areas of the state.

Speaking to the media after meeting the All Party Delegation here today, NC senior leader and MLC Ajay Sadhotra said that the party conveyed the visiting members that the demand of autonomy was within the ambit of Indian constitution and this will further help in strengthening the integration of the state with rest of the country. He said the autonomy proposal also provides for regional autonomy to ensure balanced treatment to all parts of the state.

He said that the party also demanded a dialogue to address the internal dimensions of the state by talking to all shades of the opinion. He said that the demand for an employment package was also put forth for the state adding that the withdrawal of AFSPA from peaceful areas of the state also formed the part of the demands. He said the delegation was also informed about the measures, including constitution of Finance Commission, taken by the state government for better monitoring of developmental activities in the state.

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