Kashmir 2.0 in Modi 2.0: Five key points you shouldn’t miss on J&K, Ladakh

Rajya Sabha on Monday approved a resolution revoking the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir and passed a Bill to split the state into two Union Territories.

Jammu and Kashmir LIVE updates: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government on Monday moved a resolution in the Rajya Sabha to abrogate the Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave a special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was approved by the Upper House amid protests by the Opposition.

Today, the Lok Sabha will take up the resolution and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill. According to the terms of the new resolution moved by Home Minister Amit Shah, while Jammu and Kashmir will be a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly, the Ladakh region will be a Union Territory without any legislative powers. Since the government has a comfortable majority in the House, these are unlikely to face any hurdles.

Rajya Sabha on Monday approved a resolution revoking the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir and passed a Bill to split the state into two Union Territories, as Home Minister Amit Shah promised to restore full statehood after normalcy is restored in the militancy-hit region.

Under Article 370 of the Constitution, Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed complete autonomy and the state legislature was free to draft its own laws except in the areas of communications, defense, finance, and foreign affairs. Also, Indian citizens were prohibited from purchasing land in the state. So, what exactly will change in J&K if the Lok Sabha today passes the Reorganisation Bill?

Kashmir updates: BJP issues whip to MPs, Opposition meet at 10:30 am

Jammu and Kashmir issue: Ex-chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti are believed to have been put under house arrest. Schools and colleges will remain closed today

Kashmir Live Updates: Amid an unprecedented lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir, as uncertainty looms large over a build-up of troops in the valley, the Union Cabinet on Monday met at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were among the leaders present in the high-level meeting.

The meeting comes after political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir including former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone, were placed under house arrest as strict restrictions were imposed in the Kashmir Valley from early Monday morning.

Panic gripped the Valley after the government imposed restrictions and curfews in several districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Schools and colleges will remain closed today. There would be a complete bar on holding any kind of public meeting or rally. The government imposed restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC in Srinagar district with effect from Sunday midnight as a precautionary measure, officials said.