Modi Govt Scraps Article 370; J&K, Ladakh To Be Separate Union Territories

New Delhi, Aug 5: Home Minister Amit Shah made a historic announcement of repealing Article 370, granting Jammu and Kashmir special status, on the floor of Rajya Sabha here.

With the abrogation of Article 370, Article 35A automatically gets null and void.

Shah also also declared Jammu and Kashmir a Union Territory with Legislature and Ladakh a separate Union Territory without Legislature.

Ruckus ensued in the upper house of the Parliament as soon as as Shah moved the resolution on the issue.

The notification on Article 370 signed by President Ramanth Kovind states that everything in the Indian Constitution will apply to Jammu and Kashmir.

The notification also said the Constituent Assembly in Article 370 (3) will be changed to legislative assembly, which means that the Governor, who is being treated as the State Government at the moment, will be able to move the resolution to the President.

Article 370, which was included in the Indian Constitution on October 17, 1949, exempts Jammu and Kashmir from the Indian Constitution, except Article 1 and Article 370 itself, and permits the state to draft its own Constitution.

The article also restricts Parliament’s legislative powers in respect of Jammu and Kashmir.

Article 35A stems from Article 370, having been introduced through a Presidential Order in 1954, which empowers Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define state’s permanent residents and their special rights and privileges.

BSP member Satish Chandra Mishra said his party party is not expressing any opposition to Article 370 bill and the other bill.

"Our party gives complete support. We want that the Bill be passed. Our party is not expressing any opposition to Article 370 Bill and other Bill," he said.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MP Nazir Raza Ahmad Laway and MM Fayaz protested on Parliament premises and tried to tear the Constitution, but were asked to walk out of the house.

Details awaited

IAF Flies Amarnath Yatris, Tourists Out Of Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 4: The Indian Air Force Saturday flew out Amarnath Yatra pilgrims and tourists from Kashmir to two destinations after the J&K administration cancelled the pilgrimage due to threat of terrorist attacks to it.

The pilgrims and tourists were flown in IAF's C-17 transport aircraft to Jammu and Pathankot from Srinagar, sources said.

As many as 6,126 passengers reached the Srinagar airport yesterday, but 5,829 passengers traveled by 32 scheduled flights, sources said.

"Remaining 387 passengers accommodated in 4 IAF Aircraft & flown to destinations like Jammu, Pathankot & Hindon," ANI reported.

IAF C-17s has been transporting paramilitary personnel to J&K in the last few days.

The centre has deployed about 10,000 troops of paramilitary forces in J&K about a week ago. The government said the paramilitary deployment is for security situation prevailing there.

Security forces have inputs that terrorists could target Amarnath Yatra and disrupt peace in the state.

On Friday, the Chinar Corps Commander Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon had told reporters that mines, an American M-24 sniper rifle and ammunition, were found along Baltal and Pahalgam pilgrimage routes.

He also said several terrorists have assembled at launch pads across the Line of Control. Also, several infiltration attempts into India have taken place, he added.

The Indian Army yesterday had said Pakistan Army regularly tries to push terrorists through infiltration and fires a multitude of weapons to assist them.

The IAF aircraft was pressed into service because of the unavailability of commercial flights, sources said.

There were several attempts by Pakistan to disturb peace in Kashmir and target Amarnath Yatra in last 36 hours.

Alert troops neutralized 5 to 7 Pakistan regulars or terrorists, while the neighboring country tried to conduct a Border Action Team on one of the forward posts in Keran sector.

As many as four hardcore Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were neutralized in the valley.

The army said Pakistan is deliberately resorting to malicious campaign of use of cluster ammunition by Indian Army, instead of taking credible actions against terror activities being carried out from its soil.

Omar Abdullah Wants Centre's Assurance On Article 370, 35A

Srinagar, Aug 3: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has sought assurance on central government's plans not to repeal Articles 370 and 35A of Indian Constitution, or Jammu and Kashmir's trifurcation.

The statement comes following his meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Governor S P Malik, who assured the National Conference that there were no moves on these issues.

The party MPs would move a motion in Parliament on August 5, seeking a statement from the centre on Jammu and Kashmir situation, which has wiped up frenzied emotions, Omar told reporters here.

The National Conference Leader appealed to Jammu and Kashmir citizens to keep calm and control their emotions, besides avoid steps that may cater to vested interests' objectives.

"The Governor assured us that there was no movement on repealing Article 370 or Article 35A or delimitation of constituencies in the state," he said.

Omar said the party will never allow any tampering with the special status, both politically and legally, and also wants an election to be conducted to allow the new government to address state issues. 

"We are satisfied with our meeting with the Prime Minister, because he also expressed his wish to hold elections in Kashmir," he said.