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Autonomy resolution sent to Centre: J&K Speaker

Our Correspondent in Srinagar

The Jammu and Kashmir assembly resolution on autonomy has been sent to the Centre for follow-up action, Speaker Abdul Ahad Vakil told a news conference here yesterday.

He said copies of the historic resolution for restoration of autonomy to the state have been sent to the secretary general of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the state chief secretary.

"It is as significant as the Delhi Agreement 1952," he said, and added, "it is now up to the Centre to initiate action."

The Speaker said the report will rebuild trust and confidence between the state and India. He said apprehensions against it were baseless.

Reacting to a statement by the Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary, rejecting the autonomy demand, Vakil said, "They are blissfully ignorant about the history and constitution of the state of Jammu and Kashmir."

He said the legal and constitutional status enjoyed by the state had been eroded since 1953, particularly from 1964, which resulted in mistrust among people. The document on autonomy, the Speaker said, "needs persuasion, follow-up, public debate and support from the press to remove misgivings sought to be created by vested interests''.

Vakil said the federal system of governance had come to stay in the country, where one-party rule had ended. "This constitutional development is more relevant to the demand for autonomy for the State," he said, and added that "it will further strengthen ties between the state and Centre".

Referring to a 1933 judgment of the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir high court, for restoration of state subject rights of the northern area, moved by 11 petitioners, the Speaker said, "Despite seven years, the verdict has not been implemented and this amply demonstrated that in Pakistan even court verdicts have no respect." How can she talk of justice to others, he asked.

The document of autonomy, he said, "will have repercussions on the people of PoK, which is a part and parcel of the state. He hoped that they will initiate bold steps for restoration of their rights.

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