Omar blames PDP of trying to divide J

Jammu, May 21 (UNI) National Conference (NC) president Omar Abdullah today accused ruling coalition partner People's Democratic Party (PDP) of trying to trifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into three states.

While addressing a rally at Berote in border district of Rajouri, Mr Abdullah said his party's demand for autonomy could alone satisfy aspirations of the people, while PDP asserting regional aspirations could be met only through three regional assemblies for each of the three regions of the state - Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

''PDP patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had proposed an assembly for each region, Buddhist dominated Ladakh, Muslim majority Kashmir Valley and Hindu-dominant Jammu region'' he said.

The state government in June 2000 had brought out an autonomy report, envisaging semi-sovereign status for state and full control over all affairs barring Defence, Foreign Affairs and Communications, he added.

Mr Abdullah lamented the report was rejected by the then BJP led National Democratic Alliance government in New Delhi.

''It was revived for discussions at a meeting of the Centre-State relations working group. The working group is yet to finalise its report,'' he said.

UNI