Jammu & Kashmir Live: Modi Government Moves To Amend Article 370, Create Two Union Territories - J&K, Ladakh
Restrictions and night curfews were imposed in several districts of Jammu and Kashmir as the Valley remained on edge.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Army On High Alert After India Decides To Revoke Jammu & Kashmir Special Status
The Indian Army has been put on high alert along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir to effectively repulse any possible disturbance in the wake of the government abrogating Article 370 and deciding to split the state into two union territories, official sources said.
Sources said Pakistan may try to trigger unrest in the Kashmir Valley and there may be spurt in violence including improvised explosive device blasts and fidayeen attacks following the government's decisions.
"The security forces are fully prepared to deal with any situation. We will not allow the situation to go out of hand," said a senior military official.
With inputs from PTI.
Pakistan Summons Indian Envoy
Pakistan summoned Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria to its Foreign Office and conveyed a "strong demarche on the announcements made and actions taken" by the Government of India over Jammu and Kashmir.
The Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement that Bisaria was summoned by Pakistan Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood. "The Foreign Secretary conveyed Pakistan's unequivocal rejection of these illegal actions as they are in breach of international law and several U.N. Security Council resolutions," the statement said.
With inputs from PTI.
Former J&K Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah Arrested
Former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have been arrested, officials told PTI. In separate tweets yesterday, the two had said that they had been placed under house arrest.
Officials added that Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference leaders Sajjad Lone and Imran Ansari have also been arrested.
With inputs from PTI.
Business Leaders Back Government Move On J&K
Two business leaders have stepped out in support of the government’s efforts to modify Article 370 and withdraw special status to Jammu & Kashmir.
Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra & Mahindra group, commented on social media in favour of the government’s actions. Early in the morning he said the “entire country is waiting to exhale over Kashmir”. In the evening he wondered why such a decision was not taken before.
Sajjan Jindal, chairman and managing director of the JSW Group, also supported the government’s moves.
The Legal Route Adopted By The BJP TO Change J&K Status
The BJP-led government adopted a three pronged effort to modify the Constitution and J&K’s spcial status without a constitutional amendment bill.
“At the heart of everything is Presidential Order C.O. 272, which constitutes the basis for everything that follows. The second is a Statutory Resolution introduced in the Rajya Sabha, which – invoking the authority that flows from the effects of Presidential Order C.O. 272 – recommends that the President abrogate (much of) Article 370. The third is the Reorganisation Bill, that breaks up the state of Jammu and Kashmir into the Union Territories of Ladakh (without a legislature) and Jammu and Kashmir (with a legislature),” as explained by constitutional lawyer Gautam Bhatia here.
