Shops closed, streets deserted as Indian Kashmir ceases to be a state
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to change Kashmir’s status has stoked anger and resentment while an armed revolt rages
- Just after midnight, the old state of Jammu and Kashmir was split into two union territories – both to be directly ruled by New Delhi
Just after midnight on Wednesday, the federal government’s orders went into effect, dividing up the old state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories – one Jammu and Kashmir, and the other the Buddhist-dominated high altitude region of Ladakh.
Both will be directly ruled by New Delhi, and new lieutenant governors were expected to be sworn in at a high-security governor’s premises later on Thursday.
“The unfulfilled dream of integrating Jammu and Kashmir has been accomplished,” said Home Minister Amit Shah, who is leading the political strategy to deal with Kashmir.
It blames Pakistan for keeping the revolt alive, allegations that the nuclear-armed neighbour denies.
On Thursday, there was little traffic on the streets of Srinagar, the main city, except for children going to school to complete hastily arranged exams. Many children have been kept out of school since the August clampdown.
Shops were shut as a mark of opposition against Kashmir’s new status.
Authorities deployed additional paramilitary forces in parts of Srinagar where small protests have erupted in the past since the August 5 announcement of the change of status.
Still, there were 20 small incidents of stone-pelting reported from Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir valley on Wednesday, a state police official said.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, one of scores of politicians in detention to prevent large protests from breaking out, said the federal government must engage with Kashmiris before they become even more alienated.
