Congress Minister in Kashmir cabinet suggests autonomy for Jammu and Ladakh

Bani (Jammu and Kashmir), Dec.6 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Minister Sham Lal Sharma said on Monday that the state should be trifurcated for better development.

Addressing a rally chaired by Congress president for the state unit Saifuddin Soz here, Sharma raised the demand of making Jammu a separate state and said Leh should be given the status of a Union Territory.

"With the permission of the state Party President (Saifuddin Soz), I would like to say that if you want to develop this province then Kashmir should be given freedom and its property. Jammu should be made a separate state and Leh should be made a union territory. This is the only solution for this problem. The people of Jammu should stay united," said Sharma.

Sharma further said people of Jammu are being ignored and discriminated, adding that this has continued for years. He asked Soz to consider the proposal.

Sharma added that the recent reports of Finance Commission indicated regional discrimination and disparity in the findings.

Saifuddin Soz wanted all three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Leh united, and ensured equal and balanced development in all the regions. By Pradeep Sharma (ANI)