Autonomy best solution to Kashmir issue: NC

Srinagar, May 5: Reiterating that the restoration of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir was the most feasible solution to Kashmir issue, the main opposition party in the state National Conference (NC) asked India and Pakistan to carry forward the dialogue process for the lasting peace in the region.

The leader of the opposition in the Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather said restoration of Autonomy in its pristine form was the most feasible the solution to Kashmir issue, as proposed by the NC.

Besides having overwhelming support in the state, this, he said, was being considered to be the only practicable solution at the national and international level.

Mr Rather said Kashmir issue is essentially a political problem and it has to be dealt with politically.

Adhocism and patch-works would not help as any solution of the problem would prove durable only if aspirations of people of the state were adequately addressed, Mr Rather said.

Mr Rather expressed dismay over the slackening of the dialogue process between India and Pakistan and urged the leadership of the both the countries to vigorously carry on the peace process so that in addition to other bi-lateral issues the all important Kashmir issue was fully resolved.

He said the miseries faced by the people of the state were unending and needed to be addressed urgently.

Mr Rather also expressed his serious concern over the rising prices of essential commodities and total failure of the government in controlling the inflation.

He said unemployment problem in the state has aggravated during the coalition rule and no concrete steps were taken to address it.

If not attended, he said it may snowball into something big problem.

UNI