Fernandes gives reassurance on J&K autonomy issue

NASHIK, JUNE 21: Defence Minister George Fernandes today said that there was nothing to worry over the issue of J&K autonomy, as he kn...

NASHIK, JUNE 21: Defence Minister George Fernandes today said that there was nothing to worry over the issue of J&K autonomy, as he knew Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah well enough to say that the latter would not take any "anti-national" step and advocate autonomy for the State.

Talking to reporters after his visit to the family of the late socialist leader Vasant alias Bapusaheb Upadhye, who died about three months ago, Fernandes said he knew Abdullah for decades and that the latter would not do any harm to the integrity of the country.

He said that the Legislature was discussing autonomy for the State, following a report of a committee and that there was nothing to feel alarmed about. Answering a question on the Sri Lankan government’s call for help, he categorically stated that India would not extend any military aid. "We had committed a blunder last time when we sent our troops to Sri Lanka," he said, "We lost 1,200 soldiers and about 3,750 were wounded in the operation." He said that the Indian government would only help in relief and rescue operations, provided both sides extended their cooperation.

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Speaking on the situation in Kargil, he said that there had been no intrusion this year from across the Line of Control. He said that steps had been taken along the LoC to ensure that history did not repeat itself.

Fernandes added that he would visit Russia on June 25 and that the deal to manufacture the Sukhoi-30 combat aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in India would be finalised soon. He said that various units of the HAL would manufacture the aircraft and the job would be carried out for about 10 years.