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More people in Jammu & Kashmir prefer staying in India to a merger with Pakistan, but those wanting to be independent form the largest group.
This is the finding of a study carried out by a foreign delegation in the state, including in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the Northern Areas, also held by Pakistan.
The governments of India and Jammu & Kashmir have from time to time ruled out holding a referendum in the state.
The study conducted by the Belgian Association for Solidarity with Jammu & Kashmir from June 18 to July 13 last year said 38.25 per cent of the population polled favoured independence against 24.35 per cent who wanted Kashmir to be merged with Pakistan. Those who wanted to remain in the Indian Union numbered 37.40 per cent.
A two-member delegation of BASJK presented the report to Jammu & Kashmir Minister for Industries and Commerce Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal on Saturday and discussed the prevailing situation in the state.
PTI
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