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Pressure mounts on NC to pass autonomy resolution

Pressure is mounting on the ruling National Conference to pass a resolution on greater autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir during the on-going special session of the assembly even as Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said the motion on autonomy would not be put to vote.

NC members are in favour of passing the resolution and throwing the ball in the centre's court, party sources said here today.

This is evident from the tone and tenor of speeches of the ruling party members during the past four days in the assembly with all of them blaming the centre for ills of the state.

Maulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, Works Minister A M Sagar and other NC members were in favour of passing the autonomy resolution, the sources said.

Ansari, a former minister, said unless autonomous status was restored, there would no peace in the state.

Referring to the proposed talks between All Parties Hurriyat Conference and the centre, he said this would complicate the matter further.

Alleging that the Hurriyat was the creation of the centre, Ansari said the Hurriyat had no representative character and any move by the Centre to initiate a dialogue with it would mean "thrusting gunmen on the people of the state".

Sagar said promises given by the centre to the people of the state from time to time needed to be fulfilled.

Minister for Industries and Commerce Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal and Farooq's younger brother said concrete steps were needed to regain confidence of the people.

NC leader Faqir Mohammad Khan said the need of the hour was greater autonomy and any delay in this regard would only help Hurriyat leaders.

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