Restoration of autonomy will resolve Kashmir: Omar

Jammu, May 20: National Conference president Omar Abdullah today reiterated his party's demand for restoration of autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir, proclaiming it as ''the only viable solution for resolving the vexed Kashmir issue.''

Addressing a rally here at Behrote in Rajouri district, Mr Abdullah lambasted the parties playing regional cards and raising ''hollow slogans'', like self-rule to propagate their political interests.

''Those advocating self-rule formula are actually talking of dividing Jammu and Kashmir state on regional basis, which the NC will not allow at any cost'' he said.

The autonomy document, the NC president claimed, was acceptable to all as it ensures internal autonomy for equitable development of all the three regions including neglected far-flung areas of the state.

''This is evident as the document has been passed and adopted by the state assembly,'' he said, adding that borrowed formulas being projected by some parties have failed to generate much interest among the masses.

The NC, he said, wanted Jammu and Kashmir to remain as a single entity. ''We have always been in favour of equal share for all in the matters of development and sustained economic growth of the state,'' he said.

''We are for simultaneous development in all areas to remove the sense of alienation from the minds of people'' he added.

Referring to the increasing unemployment problem in the state, the NC president said the last four years had witnessed foldering of all promises of providing employment to one member of each family.

''There is lot of courage required for keeping promises,'' he asserted.

''NC believes that the problem of unemployment could be solved only by chalking out a comprehensive policy for tapping the existing potential in all sectors,'' he said.

UNI