Article 370, which confers special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will be removed, said Indian Home Minister Amit Shah in parliament Monday (August 5) morning.
The announcement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting of his cabinet at his house this morning.
Jammu and Kashmir will also be “reorganised,” said the Home Minister, with the state being bifurcated into two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir on the one hand and Ladakh on the other.
Here are the 10 latest developments in this big story:
Article 370 gives Jammu and Kashmir its own constitution and decision-making rights for all matters barring defence, communications and foreign affairs.
The removal of this part of the constitution ends special status for Kashmir, which was key to its accession to India in 1947.
Article 370 made it necessary for the centre to get the state legislature’s approval for introducing any policies or constitutional powers to the state.
Jammu and Kashmir will consist of two Union Territories – Ladakh and Kashmir; the former will not have a legislature.
The government’s huge step comes after a massive build-up of troops in the sensitive Kashmir Valley and a night where senior leaders including former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were placed under house arrest.
The internet and phone lines have been forced out of service. Thousands of paramilitary troops have been sent to Jammu and Kashmir after the government said it was cancelling the Amarnath Yatra, an annual pilgrimage, and asked tourists and outsiders to leave the state.
The cabinet met this morning at the home of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after which all ministers and the PM moved to parliament for Amit Shah’s big announcement.
All educational institutions and offices are closed and groups have been banned from gathering.
President Ram Nath Kovind has assented to the scrapping of Article 370 which makes Kashmir autonomous.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted about his house arrest: “While I’ve been focused on Kashmir I must add a word for people in Kargil, Ladakh & Jammu. I’ve no idea what is in store for our state but it doesn’t look good. I know many of you will be upset by what unfolds. Please don’t take the law in to your own hands, please stay calm.”
Source: NDTV
