ISLAMABAD Dec 31 The leader of a militant group fighting Indian rule in Kashmir asked Pakistan on Friday not to oppose the option of total independence for the disputed Himalayan region reports Reuter •

Jammu and Kashmir Libera lion Front (JKLF) Chairman Amanullah Khan told a news conference that a 1949 United Nations resolution stipulating Kashmir s accession to either India or Pakistan was flawed because he said It restricted Kashmiris right to self deter ml nation.

New Delhi regards the whole of divided Kashmir as an integral part of India, which rules two-thirds of the region

But Islamabad, which controls the remaining third of Kashmir, says the predominantly Muslim Kashmiris must decide In a UN mandated plebiscite whether to Join

Islamic Pakistan or secular but Hindu majority India

Amanullah Khan, who Is based In Pakistan, said Ihe Idea of an Independent Kashmir was gaining appeal and he wanted Islamabad not to oppose the third option

He said the JKLF would hold rallies on January 5 In both parts of Kashmir and abroad lo press for the third option

"We are not cattle or sheep that we were only given the choice of accession, we de mand that right to be totally independent, he said

More than 17.000 people have been kl^ed In four years ol a separatist revolt in the Indian ruled part of the re glon. over which the two coun tries have fought two of their three wars since indepen dence from Britain in 1947

Amanullah Khan said the JKLF was not opposing the op

tions for accession but wanted the third option to be also recognised as a possible choice.

"If Pakistan and the world community did not accede to Kashmiris' right of complete independence besides the options of accession, then the JKLF would start a movement for Independence to be the only option. "

"Denying this demand will be Immoral, unjust, undemocratic and contrary to the Internationally recognised ... Interpretation of the right of self determination of subjugated nation*."

Another report adds: At least 1.000 people have been stranded on an expressway linking the summer and winter capitals of Jammu and Kashmir after heavy snowfall, the United News of India (UNf) said on Friday

The national highway con-

necting Srinagar, summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir Mate, and Jammu. The state s winter capital was shut for the fifth day due to heavy snowfall In the higher altitude* of the Kashmir valley and the Ladakh region bordering China. UNI said

It quoted an official spokesman as saying the Chenab river was blocked by a glacier between Dachan and Marwal in Jammu» Doda district and residents had been cautioned against venturing out.

The villages In the area faced a threat of floods If the glacier failed to move In the next 48 hour*, the spokesman was quoted as saying

UNI said the paramilitary, Rashtriya Rifles Force and army until were providing re lief to those Mranded on the expressway. The army's help has been sought to get the roads cleared of snow, n said