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Autonomous status to J&K opposed

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Prof Chaman Lal Gupta on Monday opposed autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir stating that the move was fraught with dangers and may lead to a spurt in terrorist activities.

Speaking at a seminar organised in New Delhi on the 'Question of Autonomy for J&K and its impact on National Integration and Minorities of the State,' Prof Gupta said the move could encourage terrorist elements in the state. ''Our security personnel have made innumerable sacrifices for the state and granting of autonomy would undo all that they have done.''

The J&K government has already submitted the autonomy report to the Centre and Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that a team of state ministers would be sent for discussions soon.

Describing J&K as an integral part of India, he said the Centre should not at any cost accept the report.

The move is also being opposed by Panun Kashmir, an organisation of Kashmiri Pandits, and the people of Jammu and Ladakh.

Ladakh Buddhist Association president, Tsering Samphel, in his speech highlighted the ''discrimination'' by the state government against Ladakh.

He said they would intensify their campaign for a Union territory status for Ladakh.

Samphel said the autonomy report was bound to have a snowballing effect and generate similar demands in other states.

He asserted that the report had to be resisted and if at all it had to be implemented, it could be done only after Ladakh was given a separate Union territory status and J&K was split into three separate geographical entities.

UNI

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