Autonomy resolution 'ill-timed'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 29. Describing the autonomy resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly as an ``ill-timed move,'' the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today said autonomy in the State should not be related either to the demands for further decentralisation in respect to other states or to the plea that the subject was under consideration before the Constitution Review Commission.

``The autonomy demand in J and K stands on a different footing and should be treated as separate and apart. What is important is the nature of autonomy and not nomenclature. The terms of instrument of accession have merged into history and the Constitution and pre-1953 status has only an emotive value for some. The clock of history cannot be turned backwards,'' the NCP general secretary and spokesperson, Mr.Devendra Dwivedi, said here.

He said it had become necessary to do away with the ``transitional and temporary'' description of Article 370 and it must be clarified. He recalled that Indira Gandhi had clarified at the time of the 1975 accord that Article 370 must continue to govern the relations between the State and the Centre. ``If the U.N. resolution on plebiscite has become redundant, so has the theory of Article 370 being transitional,'' he added.

Favouring the maximum autonomy approach formulated by the Narasimha Rao Government, Mr. Dwivedi said it could be the basis on which a new effort should be initiated. ``What is required is a detailed, in-depth and purposeful dialogue to define the contours of permissible and desirable devolution of power and of autonomy which is consistent with the nation's unit and integrity and in which all the sections within J and K, including migrants, should be involved,'' he said.

The Vajpayee Government should consult the major opposition parties, leaders and interested groups to evolve a national consensus. ``The real problem is neither constitutional nor legal; it relates to the crisis of confidence and the problem of alienation. The people of J and K need good governance,'' he added.

'A pan-Islamic agenda'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 29. Describing the adoption of the State Autonomy Committee report by the J&K legislature as an ``inseparable part of the ruling National Conference's effort to pursue an agenda which is both pan-Islamic and secessionist,'' Panun Kashmir - an apex organisation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits - today warned the Central Government of dire consequences if it ignored and disowned the minorities in the State.

The Ladakhis have already threatened to take their cause to the international arena if the Union Government bowed to the demands of the National Conference (NC). ``We not only endorse their stand, but would also explore all possibilities to meet such a situation and strongly support the creation of a separate State of Jammu,'' the chairman, Political Affairs of Panun Kashmir, Mr. Ajay Chrangoo, said at a press conference here today.

Dr. Chrangoo said the NC was ruthlessly exploiting the space and manoeuvrability it had acquired by the dint of its being the party in power. ``The Union Government which was hoping to defeat the separatist politics by bringing the NC back to power, finds itself pushed to an embarassing position. The politival inaptitude of patronising some form of Muslim sub- nationalism with the hope of fighting communalism, stands thoroughly exposed,'' he said.

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