Outcry as India revokes Kashmir autonomy

India’s decree to revoke Kashmir’s autonomy after seven decades was met with outcry in neighbouring Pakistan and fears the disputed territory would spiral further into violence.

Islamabad said it would ‘‘exercise all possible options’’ to reject an ‘‘illegal’’ act by Delhi, while the president of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir warned that the two countries could ‘‘go to war’’.

Narendra Modi’s decision to abolish the special status of Indian-controlled Kashmir and make it a union territory ends self-rule while giving his federal government control over local police.

The decision will allow Indians from outside the territory to settle, buy land and hold local government jobs. Opponents fear his ruling BJP Hindu nationalist party intends now to change the demographics of the Muslimmajority region with a wave of Hindu migration.

Modi’s move to tighten control represented a farreaching political change in a dispute that has destabilised the region for decades and three times triggered war between India and Pakistan.

The revocation follows a security clampdown last week, which had seen Delhi reinforcing troops and evacuating tourists in what is already one of the world’s most militarised areas. A violent insurgency has raged in Indian-administered Kashmir since 1989 between Kashmiri militants seeking independence or more autonomy from Delhi and the Indian Army.

Communications were blocked yesterday, troops patrolled the capital of Srinagar, public movement was heavily restricted, and local leaders were put under house arrest.

‘‘All Kashmiris are under surveillance, even the police, which is why no one will speak directly,’’ said one lawyer from Kishtwar in Kashmir. ‘‘We have been told to stay inside and we are worried that if we leave our house that we will be labelled as secessionists.’’

Modi’s move completes a campaign promise of 2014 and 2019 general elections and appeared to burnish his image as a nationalist strongman.

Kashmir weighed heavily on this year’s election after Modi ordered an airstrike inside Pakistan to avenge the death of more than 40 troops in a suicide bombing claimed by Pakistan-based militants.

BJP leaders praised the removal of autonomy enshrined in article 370 of the Indian constitution.

Arun Jaitley said: ‘‘What was a temporary and transient provision cannot be treated as permanent. It had to go ... No dynamic nation can allow this situation to continue. A historical wrong has been undone today.’’