The situation in the valley is tensed after the scrapping of article 370 on Monday thus deciding the state to split into two union territories.
A massive opposition took an uproar against the abolition of the article in the Rajya Sabha. Jammu and Kashmir are under serious curfew with all mobile and landline services suspended. The chief minister Omar Abdullah (NC) and Mehbooba Mufti (PDP) have been detained under the conditions of house arrest. Mehbooba was shifted to Hari Niwa’s guest house.
After the President issued notification on abolishing article 370, Home Miniter Amit Shah moved a resolution in the House to abolish Article 370. He also goes on to say that Ladakh will have no legislature like Chandigarh while Jammu and Kashmir will have legislatures like Delhi and Puducherry.
There were many supporters from the regional parties and few others from the TMC, DMK, AAP, NCP started storming the streets with slogans. A standing ovation was received by Amit Shah from his own party colleagues when entered the house minutes before proceeding in the Rajya Sabha. The day, in fact, was a remarkable historical move in the history of the Indian Constitution.
President Ram Nath Kovind signs the official notification abrogating 370. The power of the assembly of both the Union territories now rests in the hands of both the Parliament.
“The President’s order can be discussed and passed by both houses of Parliament,” says Amit Shah.
A copy for the same was also distributed in both the houses. He mentions that Article 370 can be abrogated since there are provisions within the said Article to do so.
The opposition and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the entire Kashmir Valley is under curfew with three former Chief Ministers of the state and political leaders have been placed under house arrest.
The army in the valley has been put on high alert along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir to actively repulse if any possible Pakistani misadventure takes place. There are sources who say Pakistan might try to retaliate including Improvised explosive device (IED) blast and fidayeen attacks following the government’s bold decisions.
“The security forces are fully prepared to deal with any situation. We will not allow the situation to go out of hand,” says a senior military official. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has also been maintaining high levels of alert. The Indian Air Force has remained alert in Jammu and Kashmir since the Balakot strikes and subsequent Pakistani retaliation.
