Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 5 announced revoking of Article 370 from the Constitution.
The Centre also announced bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories (UTs).
Home Minister Amit Shah announced revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution. The article grants special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The official notification of the matter was signed by President Ram Nath Kovind.
Centre has announced bifurcation of J&K into two Union Territories (UTs). Jammu and Kashmir will be a UT with its own Legislature. Ladakh region will be a separate UT without its own Legislature.
Shah introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill in the Rajya Sabha for the same. The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha. It will be taken up by the Lok Sabha today, August 6.
In the early hours of August 5, Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed in parts of J&K including the Srinagar district as a precautionary measure. Key political leaders including former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, among others, had been placed under house arrest late on August 4.
Situation in parts of Jammu and Kashmir remain tensed.
I-day went off peacefully in Kashmir: Principal Secretary Kansal
Independence Day celebrations in Kashmir went off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere, a senior government official said today.
Principal Secretary in the Jammu and Kashmir administration, Rohit Kansal, said the first night flight will also take off from Srinagar at 7.50 pm today with 150 passengers. "The Independence Day celebrations went off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from the Kashmir Valley," he told reporters. (PTI)
Shah Faesal shifted to detention centre at Centaur Hotel
Former IAS officer Shah Faesal, who is under detention, has been taken to a makeshift detention centre at the Centaur Hotel here, officials said today.
He was shifted from his home to the hotel during the night, they said.
Faesal who was stopped from taking a flight to Istanbul at the Delhi airport during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday was flown back to Srinagar where he was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA), they said. (PTI)
Governor Satya Pal Malik hoists tricolour in first I-Day celebration in J&K after revocation of special status
Sustained efforts by armed forces have ensured that terrorists have accepted their defeat, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said today after hoisting the national flag at the Sher-e-Kashmir stadium here in the first Independence Day celebration after the abrogation of the state's special status.
After unfurling the flag, Malik inspected the parade of para-military forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Addressing the gathering, Malik said people need not be worried about their identity after the steps taken by the Centre. (PTI)
Rajinikanth on Article 370:
The way they planned the entire issue, it was a master strategy. First they imposed section 144 andensured that people don't create any trouble. Then they tabled the bill, first in Rajya Sabha where they don't have majority andthen got it passed in Lok Sabha.
They planned and executed it perfectly. Politicians should know what to politicize and what not to politicize. I appreciate this move of the government because it is related to national security.
J&K ADGP, SJM Gillani:
There have been detentions under the Public Safety Act (PSA), there have been preventive arrests as well. Some people have also been shifted out of the state. As of now, there are only 2 people who are in hospital with some injuries; rest were discharged after first-aid.
J&K Principal Secretary (Planning Commission) Rohit Kansal:
There will be some restrictions for tomorrow. The overall security situation continues to be calm. There have been no major reports of any untoward incident.
Onthedetention of J&K Peoples Movement leader, Shah Faesal, Kansal said: Any detention or arrest is based on local assessment of law and order requirement and taken accordingly. We will not comment on individuals.
J&K Governor's Office:
Rahul Gandhi has taken four days to respond on an issue, which already stands clarified and settled. At present, the entire State Administration is pre-occupied with making arrangements for the celebration of Independence Day.
The Governor has already referred the matter to the local Administration which will get in touch with the MP at a convenient time. Governor has no further statement to make on this issue.
Will move ICJ, UN over Kashmir, says Pakistan PM Imran Khan
News18 has quoted Pakistan PM Imran Khan as saying that his country will go to the United Nations and International Court of Justice over the Kashmir issue.
"We will move to UN, ICJ and every other international forum on this. I will take it to every forum," he said.
Governor to hoist national flag at Sher-e-Kashmir stadium in Srinagar tomorrow
J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik will hoist the national flag at the main function of the Independence Day at Sher-e-Kashmir stadium tomorrow for which all arrangements have been made, Principal Secretary of J&K administration Rohit Kansal said.
In Jammu, the Independence Day celebrations would be led by an advisor to the Governor while celebrations would be held at divisional, district and sub-district levels as well.
Yesterday, Shah Faesal had tweeted, “Kashmir will need a long, sustained, non-violent political mass movement for restoration of the political rights. Abolition of Article 370 has finished the mainstream. Constitutionalists are gone. So you can either be a stooge or a separatist now. No shades of grey.”
JUST IN:
Reports suggest that Shah Faesal was flown back to Srinagar at 11.30 am today and was taken into police custody.
Faesal was again detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
Pakistan seeks emergency meeting of UNSC over Kashmir
Pakistan has formally called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss India's move to revoke the special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said yesterday.
In a video message, Qureshi said that he sent a formal letter to the president of the UNSC through Permanent Representative Maleha Lodhi to convene the meeting.
Qureshi said that the letter will also be shared with all members of the UNSC.
India has categorically told the international community that its move to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution removing the special status to Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and has also advised Pakistan to "accept the reality".
JUST IN
Kashmiri politician Shah Faesal detained at Delhi airport and was prevented from going abroad. He was reportedly scheduled to fly to Istanbul, CNN News18 has said.
J&K Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal, who also addressed the media today, said the overall situation remained calm in the state.
"Further relaxations in prohibitory orders have been given in a large number of areas, including in Srinagar, and these relaxations will continue to be given till this afternoon," he said.
On all other fronts -- civil supplies, national highways, airport, medical facilities -- the situation was normal, Kansal said.
No exchange of sweets between Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistani Rangers at Attari-Wagah border on the occasion of Pakistan Independence Day.
Read | Centre's J&K move a strong reply to terrorists: Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said this year's Independence Day will be celebrated with "much more enthusiasm" in view of the Centre's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
J&K Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Muneer Khan:
There have been localised incidents in various parts of Srinagar and other districts, which have been contained. There have been no major injuries. There have been a few pellet injuries, they were treated. Our biggest endeavour is that no civil casualty should take place.
J&K Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Muneer Khan:
Law order situation is totally under control. There have been localised incidents in various parts of Srinagar district and other districts, which had been contained and dealt with locally. There have been no major injuries.
J&K Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Muneer Khan:
Presently our main focus is August 15. All arrangements are in place to ensure peaceful celebrations across the state.
J&K Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Muneer Khan:
Restrictions have been lifted in Jammu. Schools and other establishments are functional. In Kashmir, restrictions at certain places are in place. Restriction are not imposed in a generalised manner.
Read: Kashmir Valley’s shadow on the Naga Hills
From Srinagar to Kohima may be a long and distant 3,000 km, but the recent developments in troubled Kashmir may have a heavy bearing on the impending fortunes of the evolving Naga issue. And vice versa.
Asaduddin Owaisi:
I know this government has love for Kashmir, but not for Kashmiris. I know it has love for the land but no love for those who live there. It loves power but not justice. They only want to retain power. But I shall remind that no one lives or rules for eternity. (via ANI)
Pakistan seeks emergency meeting of UNSC over Kashmir
Pakistan has formally called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to discuss India's move to revoke the special status toJammuand Kashmir, Foreign Minister ShahMahmoodQureshisaid yesterday.
Restrictions in J&K to be eased out in phased manner: Home Ministry
Restrictions imposed on people's movement and communication links in J&K are being eased out in a phased manner, while the highway connecting Jammu with Srinagar is functioning normally, a Home Ministry spokesperson said yesterday.
Quoting a statement of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, the spokesperson said flight from the Kashmir Valley are operating normally and about 1,500 light motor and other vehicles are plying on a daily basis through the highway, which is functioning smoothly. (PTI)
Update:
Governor Satya Pal Malik reviewed to-date status of prevailing security, law andorder and provision of basic andessential services to people in J&K, in a meeting held at Raj Bhavan today.
J&K Governor's office:
Rahul Gandhi was responding to fake news possibly spread from across the border about the situation in Kashmir, which is peaceful with negligible incidents. He can check for himself from various Indian channels which have reported correct position in the valley.
Rahul Gandhi is politicizing the matter by seeking to bring a delegation of opposition leaders to create further unrest & problems for the common people. He has put forth many conditions for visiting J&K, including meeting mainstream leaders under detention.
Principal Secretary (Commerce & Industry), Jammu and Kashmir, NK Chaudhary:
J&K has decided to host Investors Summit from 12-14 October, this will be the first-ever global summit being hosted by the state till date. The inaugural session of the summit will be held in Srinagar on Oct 12
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Article 370:
The manner in which it has been done is completely unconstitutional andit's against all the principles of democracy, there are rules to be followed when such things are done, which were not followed.
Congress MP Digvijaya Singh:
Jammu & Kashmir Governor himself had said that there was an intelligence failure (Pulwama attack), had it been any other country Home Minister would have been forced to resign, if not the PM. But here, whoever raised questions was declared a traitor.
Congress’ Anand Sharma:
Any political leader does not need hospitality of the Governor. We demand that the government allow opposition leaders to visit Jammu and Kashmir freely so the nation and the world can know if all is well there or if there is any cause of concern.
Ministry of Home Affairs Spokesperson:
On August 9, miscreants mingled with people returning home after prayers at a local mosque. They resorted to unprovoked stone pelting against law enforcement forces to cause widespread unrest. Law enforcement authorities showed restraint and tried to maintain law and order situation. It is reiterated that no bullets have been fired in J&K since the development related to Article 370.
The spokesperson was reacting to stories in media about an incident in Soura region of Srinagar.
'No way to contact home', say central forces deployed in Kashmir amid blackout: Report
With the communication blackout in Kashmir Valley entering its ninth day, thousands of security personnel deployed in the region, along with the locals,have been left without any means to contact their families.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Leh on August 17. He will inaugurate the Aadi Mahotsav, a National Tribal Festival.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will address Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK)on PakistaniIndependence Day. Hewill also hold a rally in Muzaffarabad that day, News18 has reported.
Hopeful of relaxing curbs post I-Day rehearsals: J&K principal secretary
J&K administration today said it is hopeful of further relaxations in the security clampdown after the dress rehearsal for the Independence Day celebrations conclude.
Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal told a press conference that while prohibitory conditions have been relaxed in various parts of Kashmir, the Jammu region is "almost entirely" free of restrictions. (PTI)
EC holds informal discussion on J&K reorganisation
Following the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, the Election Commission (EC) has held informal discussions on the latest developments.
The poll panel is also learnt to have discussed the proposed delimitation exercise in J&K, where the Assembly election is due.
EC sources said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is yet to formally write to the poll panel on the issue of reorganisation of the state and the delimitation exercise as per the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act. (PTI)
J&K Principal Secretary (Planning Commission) Rohit Kansal:
Due cognizance has been taken of all the fake Twitter handles and of any items which create disaffection. It is being tackled at the appropriate level legally, procedurally and through appropriate measures.
The Supreme Court (SC) has refused to pass an order on lifting restrictions in J&K.
The Centre should be given time to ensure normalcy, the top court observed. The court added that it would take up the matter again in two weeks.
The plea was moved by activistTehseenPoonawallaand was listed for hearing before a bench comprising Justices ArunMishra, MR Shah and Ajay Rastogi.
Responding to J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has tweeted: “Dear Governor Malik, A delegation of opposition leaders and I will take you up on your gracious invitation to visit J&K and Ladakh. We won’t need an aircraft but please ensure us the freedom to travel & meet the people, mainstream leaders and our soldiers stationed over there.”
The Governor had yesterdayhit out at Rahul Gandhi for his remarks that there have been reports of violence in Kashmir. Govenror Malik said he will send him an aircraft to visit the Valley and observe the ground situation.
J&K Principal Secretary (Planning Commission) Rohit Kansal:
As we speak, dress rehearsals are underway in all districts of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Independence Day celebrations will be carried out in a grand manner.
Army Chief General Bipin Singh Rawat to ANI on situation in Valley:
The bonhomie we had with people in the 1970s-80s, we want the same again. We were deployed there and we used to meet without guns, and if everything goes well, we will again meet without guns.
Army chief General Bipin Rawat to ANI:
If the adversary wants to activate theLoC, that's his choice. Everybody does precautionary deployment, we should not get too concerned about it. As far as the Army and other services are concerned, we have to be always prepared.
Decisions on J&K internal matter; differences should not become disputes: India to China
India's decisions on J&K are country's "internal" matter and the sole prerogative of the country which have no implication for either the external boundaries of India or the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on yesterday. This came amid Beijing's objection to the formation of Ladakh as a Union Territory.
During his bilateral meeting with Wang, Jaishankar also said it was important to ensure that bilateral differences should not become disputes and emphasised that the future of the ties will depend on the mutual sensitivity to each other's "core concerns". (PTI)
A separate petition filed by Anuradha Bhasin, Executive Editor of Kashmir Times, seeking removal of restrictions imposed on working of journalists in the state after the scrapping of provisions of Article 370 is likely to be mentioned for urgent listing in the apex court.
SC to hear plea against 'regressive measures' in J&K, today
The Supreme Court (SC) is scheduled to hear a plea challenging the Centre's decision to impose restrictions and "other regressive measures" in J&K following the revocation of the provisions of Article 370, today.
The plea filed by Congress activistTehseenPoonawallais listed for hearing before a bench comprising Justices ArunMishra, MR Shah and Ajay Rastogi.
Former PM Manmohan Singh on Article 370:
Its outcome is not to the liking of many people of our country andIt's important that voices of all these people be heard andIt is only by raising our voice that we can ensure that in the long run, the idea of India prevails.
Update:
Home Ministry has written to Twitter asking the microblogging site to suspend eight Kashmir-based accounts for spreading rumors. The Union Home Secretary recommended the closure of the accounts for "spreading rumors and misinformation to disturb the peace and calm in valley", News18 has reported.
Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary (Planning Commission), J&K, while addressing media:
There have been some reports in the media about firing by security agencies anddeaths, the police carried out a detailed briefing andI would like to reiterate andcategorically deny that any firing incident has happened in J&K.
Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary (Planning Commission), J&K, while addressing media:
No firing incident happened in the state... not a single bullet was fired.
