JK CM submits working group report to Prime Minister

New Delhi, Dec 30 (PTI) The Chief Minister of India's
northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah
Wednesday submitted the report of the Working Group, set up
for strengthening relations between the state and the Centre,
to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

The Chief Minister apprised Singh of the salient features
of fifth Working Group headed by Justice S Sagir Ahmed,
retired chief justice of J and K high Court.
The group, constituted by the Prime Minister, has
recommended autonomy for the state and said the Centre could
consider a proposal in this regard made by the ruling National
Conference. The group had submitted the report to the Chief
Minister recently.
The report said a call needed to be taken on how long
Article 370 of the Constitution in its present form, granting
Special status for J and K, should continue to remain in
force.
The Working Group deliberated on matters relating to the
special status of the border state within the Indian Union,
methods of strengthening democracy, secularism and the rule of
law in the state.
The question of 'Autonomy' and its demand can be examined
in the light of the (1975) 'Kashmir Accord' or in some other
manner or on the basis of some other formula as the present
Prime Minister may deem fit and appropriate so as to restore
the 'Autonomy' to the extent possible, it said. (More) PTI SKL
ANU


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