Poll shows that no single factor indicates why Kashmiris want independence from India, Pak

London, May 27 (ANI): A survey carried out by a British academic has concluded that there is no single or clear proposition backing the Kashmiris demand for independence from India and Pakistan.

"The results of the polls show that that there is no single proposition for the future of Kashmir which could be put to the population... and get majority support," said British academic Robert Bradnock, an associate fellow at the Chatham House think-tank in London.

However, according to Bradnock's a survey, the first systematic attempt to establish the opinions of Kashmiris, of the more than 3,700 people in Indian- and Pakistani-administered Kashmir asked for their views on various issues, nearly 50 percent said they wanted independence from New Delhi and Islamabad's rule.n the issue of continuing insurgency, the survey found that an "overwhelming majority" of people wanted a solution to the dispute, even though they admitted that there are no "simple fixes".

The survey revealed that on average 44 percent of people in Pakistani-administered Kashmir favoured independence, compared with 43 percent in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Dr. Bradnock said that in the Kashmir Valley - the mainly Muslim area, the support for independence is between 74 percent and 95 percent.

But in the predominantly Hindu Jammu division to the south, support is under one percent.

Other findings include:

.80 percent of Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC say that the dispute is important to them personally.

. Concern over human rights abuses stands at 43 percent on the Indian side and 19 percent on the Pakistani side.

. Concern over unemployment is strong across the territory - 66 percent on the Pakistani side and 87 percent on the Indian side.

. Few are optimistic over peace talks - only 27 percent on the Pakistani side and 57 percent on the Indian side.

Dr Bradnock said: "The poll offers no simple fixes, but offers signposts - through which the political process, engaging India, Pakistan and wider Kashmiri representation - could move it towards resolution." (ANI)