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Onkar Singh in New Delhi
Minister of State for External Affairs Omar Abdullah refused to make a direct comment on the statement of Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani that the government of India can give special powers to Jammu and Kashmir government, but will not grant autonomy to the state.
"The home minister has said what he had to say. The next day chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Farooq Abdullah gave his response. The proposal of autonomy is before the central government. They can call the chief minister and hold discussions with him on the matter," he said.
Talking to rediff.com Omar Abdullah said Pakistan is under the mistaken notion that India will give up the issue of cross-border terrorism.
"As far as India is concerned this is a very serious issue and India will continue to raise it. Not only Pakistan is aiding and abetting terrorist activities in the state but it has also started shelling on the international border," he said.
When asked if the state administration will discuss the issue of autonomy with the central government, Omar Farooq said that all discussion will be done through K C Pant, the government interlocutor.
"He is the interlocutor and the discussions will take place through him," he said.
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