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Jammu and Kashmir interlocutors to moot autonomy for Valley?

SRINAGAR: The broad roadmap for a political settlement in Kashmir prepared by the three interlocutors appointed after last summers unrest contains a mix of internal autonomy for Kashmir and regional councils for Jammu and Ladakh, according to sources. A special section of the report, which is expected to be submitted by Dileep Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and M M Ansari to home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday, also deals with problems of unemployment and alienation among the youth. The autonomy formula tries to strike a balance between the Autonomy Report of the National Conference and the Self Rule Document of the Peoples Democratic Party. The erosion of Article 370 and restoration of pre-1953 status is borrowed from NC; the report incorporates the PDPs concession that the 47-odd presidential orders that brought the state closer to India since 1956 could be debated by the J&K assembly, to decide which should be retained. For the past one year, every attempt by the interlocutors to meet the separatists has failed. But, there is a bit in the report for the separatists as well: A version of soft borders, increased trade, inter-Kashmir travel and the trade vision of former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf. Thats something everyone in the separatist camp barring Syed Ali Shah Geelani would welcome. Autonomy only viable solution The report by J&K interlocutors, say sources, contains a mix of internal autonomy for Kashmir and regional councils for Jammu and Ladakh. The Centre is not obliged to implement the recommendations, but the fact that it appointed the interlocutors gives the report official sheen. This could create more trouble for the Centre than what it may have bargained for. It puts down on paper what the Indian government has long privately argued: This is the only viable solution to offer to the separatists. But this was never discussed openly. This could be the ace that the Hurriyat could offer to the Kashmiri people, said a Hurriyat source. If this is put down in black and white without the Hurriyat and without Pakistan, then whats the path for the moderates? Should we all congratulate NC and change jobs? the Hurriyat source added.

                                                                                                               
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