Article 370 scrapped, Rajya Sabha passes J&K Bifurcation Bill

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Latest News Today Live Updates: The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 which divides the state into two union territories-Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh.

The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 that proposes the bifurcation of the state into two union territories-Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The bill was passed hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the government has scrapped the special status granted to the state of Jammu and Kashmir by modifying Article 370 of the Constitution. Article 370 of the constitution is a 'temporary provision' granting special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Shah assured that when "the situation gets normal and the right time comes" the government is ready to make Jammu and Kashmir a state again, adding that it may take longer than expected. While the Union Territory of Ladakh will be without a legislature, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be with a legislature.

Late Sunday night, mainstream party leaders – National Conference leaders Omar and Farooq Abdullah, and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, among others – were placed under house arrest and mobile, broadband internet and cable TV services were entirely shut down.

The government order also said no public meetings or rallies would be allowed and there would be "no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed". Identity cards of service officials would be considered as movement passes in various areas. The developments come days after the evacuation of tourists and Amarnath Yatris from the state and have triggered panic in the Valley.

(Inputs from The Indian Express)