Changes in Kashmir will free it from terrorism – PM

INDIAN PRIME Minister Narendra Modi told the nation yesterday that he stripped Kashmir of its statehood and special constitutional status in order to free the disputed Himalayan region of “terrorism and separatism”.

Modi’s Hindu-nationalist government imposed an unprecedented security lockdown and a near-total communications blackout in the Muslim-majority region Sunday night, arresting more than 500 people.

Kashmir is claimed in full by both India and its archrival Pakistan, although each controls only part of it and rebels have been fighting Indian rule in the portion it administers for decades. This week, India downgraded the divided region from statehood to a territory, limited its decision-making power, and eliminated its right to its own constitution.

In a nationally broadcast speech, Modi described the changes for Jammu and Kashmir, as the region is formally known, as historic. He assured its residents that the situation would soon “return to normal gradually”, although he gave no specifics.

Modi said the “mainstreaming” of the Kashmiri people with the rest of the nation would expedite development and create new jobs with investment from public and private companies.

He accused neighbouring Pakistan of using the past arrangement “as a weapon to incite people of the region against India”.

“I have complete faith under this new system, we all will be able to free Jammu and Kashmir of terrorism and separatism,” Modi said.

PAKISTAN’S RESPONSE

Pakistan responded to India’s action by saying it would downgrade diplomatic ties with New Delhi, expel the Indian ambassador, and suspend trade and a key train service with India. Prime Minister Imran Khan told Pakistan’s National Security Committee that his government would use all diplomatic channels “to expose the brutal Indian racist regime” and human rights violations in Kashmir, the government’s statement said.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Islamabad was not considering any military action, looking instead at its political and legal options.

AP Indians watch Prime Minister Narendra Modi address the nation in a televised speech at an electronics store in Jammu, India, on Thursday, August 8, 2019. Modi said a federally ruled Indian portion of Kashmir would help end decades-old separatism incited by archrival Pakistan. Describing changes in Kashmir as historic, Modi assured Kashmiri people that the situation in the region would soon become normal.