M A I N   N E W S

Farooq defends resolution

ERODE, July 2 (PTI) — The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah today strongly defended the state assembly resolution, demanding the restoration of the pre-1953 status to the state.

Addressing the MDMK conference here, he said the resolution was within the framework of the Indian constitution. “I am asking only what I had. My demand is within the Constitution, not from outside,“ he said.

Dr Abdullah said the resolution did not mean that he preached secession.

Autonomy: PMO clarifies stand

NEW DELHI, July 2 (UNI) — The Prime Minister’s Office today said that the matter of the Jammu and Kashmir’s resolution on autonomy ‘‘will be considered in accordance with the Constitution.’’

Clarifying Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee’s stand, his Press Adviser H.K. Dua said the Prime Minister had not said that the autonomy resolution passed by the state assembly was within the Constitution.

Mr Dua was referring to reports of the press meet held by Mr Vajpayee aboard his special aircraft while returning from Lisbon on June 30.