In a resolution adopted at the end of the seven-hour long working committee deliberations, the party also urged the state government to release all political detainees in order to move forward with the resolution of the Kashmir problem.

The marathon session of the party’s working committee was chaired by party president, Farooq Abdullah, at his uptown Gupkar residence.

The resolution expressed complete support to the state government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and gratitude to Congress President Sonia Gandhi for her support to the NC-Congress coalition government in the state, Farooq Abdullah said.

“The NC wants the pristine autonomy of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to be restored, but at the same time, the NC is ready to support any other better solution that is acceptable to the people here.”

“The working committee has urged the government to release all political detainees in order to move forward with regard to the resolution of the Kashmir problem. Kashmir is a political problem and needs a political solution through peaceful means,” he said, reading out the resolution.

The working committee regretted the loss of civilian lives that occurred in the Kashmir Valley recently and asked the government to deal firmly with those creating trouble in order to make the lives of the general public trouble-free.

It also asked the government to make suitable changes in the Sher-e-Kashmir employment policy to make it more attractive for the unemployed youth of the state.

Farooq Abdullah dismissed as rumors reports of changes in the party hierarchy, terming it a figment of the media’s imagination.

Omar Abdullah, his senior Cabinet colleagues belonging to the NC, and other members of the working committee were also present at the meeting.