AT A CONVENTION IN SRINIGAR, KASHMIR, AIMED AT FINDING A SOLUTION TO THE LONG-STANDING KASHMIR PROBLEM, SHEIKH ABDULLAH HAS EMPHASISED THAT THE PEOPLE OF KASHMIR HAVE A RIGHT TO DECIDE THEIR OWN FUTURE. INAUGURATING THE CONVENTION, MR JAYAPRAKASH NARAYAN STRESSED THE NEED FOR SETTLING THE ISSUE "WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE INDIAN UNION." THE CONVENTION BEGAN ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 10).

MR NARAYAN, REPRESENTING THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT, TOLD DELEGATES THAT THE CONVENTION SHOULD UNDERSTAND CLEARLY THAT AFTER THE 1965 CONFLICT WITH PAKISTAN, THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA COULD NOT ACCEPT A SOLUTION THAT PLACED KASHMIR OUTSIDE THE UNION OF INDIA.

HE WAS GIVEN A WARM WELCOME BY SHEIKH ABDULLAH, WHO ORGANISED THE CONVENTION, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE.

IN TAKING MR NARAYAN THROUGH A PROCESSION SRINIGAR BEFORE THE CONVENTION, SHEIKH ABDULLAH WAS SAID TO HAVE AGAIN FIRMLY DEMONSTRATED HIS STRENGTH OF LEADERSHIP OVER THE KASHMIR PEOPLE.

THE ROUTE TO MUJAHID MANZIL, VENUE FOR THE CONVENTION, WAS DECORATED WITH ARCHES AND BUNTING.

THE SHEIKH WAS UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE CONVENTION MAKING HIS MAJOR SPEECH TODAY (SATURDAY).

SEATED NEXT TO HIM DURING THE OPENING SESSION WAS MAULVI FARROK, A KASHMIR POLITICAL LEADER, AND SUPPORTER OF THE SHEIKH.