India converting entire Kashmir into Army cantonment: Farooq

Srinagar, Apr 9 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has accused India of insincerity in resolving the long- festering issue and alleged that New Delhi was converting the entire Valley into an Army cantonment.

''If India had been really sincere in resolving the Kashmir issue, it would have responded positively to Pakistan's recent proposals. New Delhi is making no attempt in this regard,'' he said in an exclusive interview to Urdu weekly 'Kashmir Uzma, the sister publication of 'Greater Kashmir', a leading English daily from here.

Dr Abdullah, who is the chief patron of the National Conference (NC), said the Kashmir issue was becoming more complex with every passing day.

''If India is seriously making efforts to resolve the vexed Kashmir issue, why is it then establishing new Army cantonments in the entire Valley?'' he added.

Elaborating, Dr Abdullah claimed that the Army has taken possession of land in Kupwara where it was going to establish a new cantonment.

''Similarly in Ganderbal, late leader Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had earmarked a huge piece of land for an Islamic University. But, the Army has taken possession of that too and is setting up a new garrison there,'' he added.

''I don't think any headway is being made in the resolution of the Kashmir issue. On one hand, Pakistan is suggesting demilitarisation of entire Jammu and Kashmir, including the part held by it, and on the other India is establishing more Army cantonments in the Valley. I don't understand what is happening.'' Dr Abdullah, who is a Rajya Sabha member, said India was trying to further tighten its grip and control over Jammu and Kashmir.

''India has deceived the people of Jammu and Kashmir every now and then during the past 58 years. First it was in 1953, then in 1983 and it is still pursuing with the same agenda. The result being that the people have lost faith and trust in New Delhi. Let me also tell you that New Delhi has also failed in its policies vis-a-vis Kashmir,'' he alleged.

Dr Abdullah said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's round-table conference on Kashmir in New Delhi in February failed to produce the desired results. ''What was achieved in that conference or for that matter what will the people of Jammu and Kashmir get from the next round-table scheduled to held in May in Srinagar? These are all time consuming tactics,'' he added.

The former Chief Minister said autonomy was not a solution to the Kashmir issue, but a step in that direction.

''An amicable and durable solution would be the one acceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Autonomy is a step towards the resolution of the issue and will ensure restoration of peace and normalcy in the state,'' he added.

UNI AG YSS PK VC1745