Live updates: Kashmir Reorganisation Bill stripping Article 370 and declaring JK as Union Territory passed in RS with 125 Ayes and 61 Nos

PM Modi, HM Amit Shah, NSA Ajit Doval

In a historic move today, Narendra Modi led Indian Government revoked Article 370 in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The state was further bifurcated into two union territories, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Here are the updates till now:

6: 52 PM

The Reorganisation Bill, per which Article 370 has been scrapped and Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh declared Union Territories by the Modi government went to vote in the Rajya Sabha. The automatic voting system developed a technical problem and hence, paper strips were distributed to the members for voting. The Bill passed with 125 Ayes, 61 Nos and 1 Abstain.

5:30 PM

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tables the Constitution (application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order 2019 in Lok Sabha. TMC walks out of Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, in Rajya Sabha, HM Amit Shah stumps the opposition.

Shah said how the removal of 35A will make Kashmir an integral part of India in true sense.

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He questioned whether Congress and opposition wants Kashmir to be stuck in the 18th century. He added how those who provoke Kashmiris and are rooting for Article 370 have their own children studying in London and US.

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Invoking Nehru, under whose rule Article 370 was brought up, Shah said that Nehru had said that Article 370 will fade away on its own. However, it was kept and preserved so carefully that even after 70 years it didn’t fade.

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Home Minister Shah also added that when time comes, Jammu and Kashmir will again be made into a state. But when time comes.

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4:00 PM

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Bhubaneswar Katila resigns after Congress says it does not support revocation of Article 370.

3:30 PM

Telugu Desam Party and Aam Aadmi Party extend support to revocation of Article 370. The NCP says it will abstain from voting.

2:30 PM

Home Ministry issues orders to states and union territories to stay alert and put law enforcement agencies on high alert following revocation of Article 370.

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2:00 PM

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, while extending support to revocation of Article 370 said that today we have taken back Jammu and Kashmir, tomorrow we will take back Balochistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir as well.

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MDMK opposed the move in Rajya Sabha. CPI(M) too opposed the move.

1:15 PM

Indian Army and Indian Air Force put on high alert after revocation of Article 370. Additional troops flown in to Kashmir.

1:00 PM

JDU does not support the revocation of Article 370. BJD extended support to scraping Article 370. BJD MP Prasanna Acharya said that today in real sense Jammu and Kashmir has become part of India. AIADMK, too, extended support to revocation of Article 370 in the Rajya Sabha.

12:15 PM

BSP supports scrapping of Article 370.

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PDP MP Nazir Raza Ahmad Laway and MM Fayaz protest in Parliament premises after resolution revoking Article 370 from J&K moved by HM in Rajya Sabha The 2 PDP MPs were asked to go out of the House after they attempted to tear the constitution. MM Fayaz also tore his kurta in protest.

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11:39 AM

Ladakh to be Union Territory, Jammu and Kashmir to be Union Territory.

11:30 AM

In a historic move by the Modi government, moves to revoke Article 370 and Article 35A. Uproar in the Parliament after the resolution seeking removal of Article 370 in J&K is moved by Home Minister Amit Shah. President Ram Nath Kovind has given the assent. Article 370 and by default Article 35A gone, as of now.

Resolution brought in by HM Amit Shah

11:20 AM

HM Amit Shah moves to scrap Article 370. Government brings in proposal to remove Article 370. Historic move by the government.

10:30 AM

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaches the Parliament. He will speak in Rajya Sabha at 11 am and in Lok Sabha at 12 noon.

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10:12 AM

Cabinet meeting at PM residence concludes. Home Minister Amit Shah to make a statement in the Parliament at 11 am.

9:45 AM

Top ministers present at PM residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Cabinet meeting underway. Decision on Jammu and Kashmir to be expected soon. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha Chairman has decided that due to urgent legislative business, Zero Hour submissions will be taken up in the House today after the completions of Legislative Business listed for the day.

9:00 AM

The security build-up in the state of Jammu and Kashmir has been heightened up as the union government on late Sunday night imposed restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC in Srinagar district and placed the top leadership of the state under house arrest.

National Conference leaders Omar and Farooq Abdullah, and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, among others under house arrest. Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference’s chief Sajad Lone has been placed under house arrest too.

The government has issued an order stating that IPC section 144 would come into effect in Srinagar from the midnight of August 5 and remain in force till further orders. While ruling out curfew, the order also said public meetings or rallies would be disallowed and there would be “no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed”.

Internet services were entirely shut down in several parts of the Valley.

Just before he was placed under house arrest, NC leader Omar Abdullah had tweeted, “I believe I’m being placed under house arrest from midnight tonight & the process has already started for other mainstream leaders. No way of knowing if this is true but if it is, then I’ll see all of you on the other side of whatever is in store. Allah save us.”

Further, the government has also banned large gatherings and public meetings as a precautionary measure. Schools and colleges in Jammu, Kishtwar, Resai, Doda and Udhampur districts were also ordered to remain closed on Monday, the officials said.

Sushma Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu said that all schools, colleges, and academic institutions, both private and government, are advised to remain closed as a measure of caution.

With mobile internet and landlines cut, the key administrative officials and top security officials in Jammu and Kashmir have been given satellite phones to keep in touch with the centre about the law and order situation in the state.

Reportedly, schools to reopen normally today in Ladakh region after summer vacations, classes to resume normally in colleges and other educational institutions too. Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC have not been imposed in the Ladakh region.

The situation in the Valley is tense after the Indian Army detected a Pakistan-backed attempt to attack the Amarnath Yatra. Soon after, an infiltration bid by Pakistani military personnel was foiled by the Army. Multiple Pakistani soldiers died in their failed attempt.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah met NSA Ajit Doval and other senior security officials yesterday. A crucial cabinet meet is also slated to occur in few minutes from now as circumstances continue to remain tense.

OpIndia Staff: Staff reporter at OpIndia