M A I N   N E W S

J & K still part of India: Farooq
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, June 26 — Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has urged Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorism to pave the way for dialogue for the restoration of peace in the region.

He was speaking in reply to the discussion on the report of State Autonomy Committee at the end of a five-day special session in the Legislative Assembly today. ‘‘I tell them (Pak leaders) to stop terrorism... Khoon Ki Holi Bohot Hogai,... so many people were killed in the state’’, Dr Farooq Abdullah said in his 90-minute long speech. He added that the Indian leadership was in favour of the holding of dialogue with the neighbouring country for restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the dialogue could be possible only when the ‘‘cross-border terrorism’’ was stopped.

‘‘If we can give our ideas to Sri Lanka on how they could maintain unity and integrity of their country, why can’t we maintain unity and integrity of the country within’’, Dr Abdullah questioned. This was in reference to his assertion on the demand for the autonomy.

He said that there had been much delay in the restoration of peace in the region. ‘‘Hum Tao Rah Hamwar Karna Chahtey Hain’’, Dr Abdullah quipped. He dismissed the views of the Opposition the BJP and the Congress that by dint of autonomy there was a question mark on the state’s accession with the country.

The Chief Minister said that this was a propaganda launched by Pakistan against the autonomy issue. ‘‘We are in a democratic country and take care of the human rights’’, he said, adding that there can be some cases of human rights violations, which could be rectified. In this connection he stated that the Director-General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Mr Gurbachan Jagat, had to appear before the state Human Rights Commission on this account.

Dr Abdullah’s speech followed a heated discussion on autonomy report dotted by stiff opposition by BJP and Congress members, constituting one sixth strength in the House.

Later the Speaker adjourned the House sine die.

In the debate, spread over 18 hours, 47 members participated. Of these, 25 members were from the ruling National Conference, who took 12 hours to put across their point of view.

The six members of BJP, four each of Congress and BSP and one each of Panthers Party, Janata Dal, Awami League and CPM took rest of the six hours.