Restoring autonomy vital for finding solution on Kashmir: Farooq

Srinagar, Sep 18 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today said restoration of greater autonomy would help in finding a durable and acceptable solution to the vexed Kashmir issue.

Dr Abdullah said here today that the Kashmir issue had several dimensions, but restoration of autonomy would provide people relief and help them to come out of the present situation.

Describing options being floated by different parties for the Kashmir solution as ''mere slogans'', Dr Abdullah said autonomy was more relevant based on ground realities.

Kashmir has a unique position in the country as it had joined the Indian Union through accession on some conditions while other states merged in it outrightly, he said.

The National Conference (NC) patron stressed that autonomy was the basis of the India-Kashmir accord at a time when people had opted to join the Indian Union.

Praising Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf for adopting a realistic approach on the Kashmir issue by rejecting the hardline stand, Dr Abdullah said lack of trust between India and Pakistan was the main reason for delay in moving ahead on the issue.

However, the prevailing situation in Pakistan too had also contributed towards suspension of the peace process, hee said.

He said the two neighbours should take advantage of ceasefire on the borders and open all road links so that people could meet more frequently and understand each other better. Travel documents should be made easy to facilitate the travel, he added.

Dr Abdullah expressed concern over human rights violations in the state.

Describing the Human Rights Ccommission as a ''paper tiger'', he expressed dissatisfaction over the commission's functioning and alleged there was no change on the ground.

UNI