Srinagar, August 15: Asking separatists to refrain from violence during the holy month of Ramzan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today asked them to take advantage of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement that he was ready to consider autonomy if there was a consensus.
At the same time, Omar said the “trust deficit” between the Centre and people of the state can be bridged by “restoring autonomy”.
“This is a historic opportunity for us (PM’s announcement regarding granting of autonomy) and we must take advantage of it. I appeal to separatist leaders to come to the table for talks and play their role in solving the Kashmir issue,” he said, addressing the Independence Day celebrations here.
During a meeting with an all-party delegation from Jammu and Kashmir, Singh had last week said he was ready to consider autonomy for the state if there was consensus among all political parties.
–Agencies