India scraps special status for Jammu and Kashmir

Monday, 5 August 2019 14:38

The Indian government has revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

It has decided to scrap Article 370, which is a constitutional provision that grants autonomy to the state, including the right to make its own laws.

Home Minister Amit Shah announced the move in parliament amid massive protests from the opposition.

He also said the state would be split into two federal territories - Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

The changes were announced hours after a major security crackdown in the region.

Telephone and internet services have been suspended, while some regional political leaders have been put under house arrest.

Pakistan has condemned the move and said it would “exercise all possible options” to counter it.

More from International

New Lebanon-Israel talks begin in shadow of US-Iran deal

Lebanon and Israel began a new round of talks on Tuesday in Washington, with Beirut determined to press ahead with direct negotiations even as they appear to be overshadowed by Iran's decision to make Lebanon part of its talks with the US.
EU hosts Taliban officials in Brussels for first time

A delegation from Afghanistan's Taliban met on Tuesday with EU officials in Brussels for the first time.
US waives Iran sanctions, Trump warns Tehran it must abide by agreement

The United States waived sanctions on Iran for 60 days from Monday after the first talks under a nascent peace deal, with US President Donald Trump saying he will "do what I have to do" if Iran does not stick to its side of the agreement.
Forty drown in France as people seek relief from heatwave

Forty people have drowned while swimming in unsupervised areas in France since the weekend, the prime minister said on Tuesday, as people tried to escape a heatwave sweeping across much of Europe.
Israeli gunfire kills two people in south Lebanon, civil defence says

Israeli gunfire killed two people in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, Lebanon's Civil Defence and state media said, the first reported fatalities resulting from Israeli fire in Lebanon in three days.