Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, has been removed by a presidential order, Home Minister Amit Shah said in the Parliament today.
The announcement was made after a cabinet meeting was held in the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning. Later, President Ram Nath Kovind signed the decree which said it would come into immediate effect. Jammu and Kashmir, the state, would be bifurcated into two union territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This then ends the special status granted to Kashmir at the time of India’s Independence in 1947.
Article 370 enabled the state to have its own constitution and independence in matters other than defence, foreign affairs and communications. It also necessitated approval of the state legislators to introduce or change policies in the state.
The two union territories will be under Lieutenant Governors. Jammu and Kashmir will be a union territory with a legislature and Ladakh will be a union territory without legislature.
The build up to the announcement included snapping of internet connectivity in the region and house arrest for former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.
Thousands of paramilitary forces have been sent to the area. Earlier, the Amarnath Yatra was cancelled and tourists were asked to leave the area.
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