India government on Monday unilaterally wiped out the autonomy of the Kashmir valley, sending in thousands of army troops to quell any possible unrest. A resolution and a separate Bill was introduced in this regard.
On and from the appointed day, there shall be formed a new Union territory to be known as the Union territory of Ladakh comprising the following territories of the existing State of Jammu and Kashmir, namely:—
“Kargil and Leh districts”,
and thereupon the said territories shall cease to form part of the existing State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Again on and from the appointed day, there shall be formed a new Union territory to be known as the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir comprising the territories of the existing State of Jammu and Kashmir other than those specified in section 3 of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The United States on Monday urged India to engage in discussion with those affected by its decision to revoke Kashmir’s special status. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said:
“We are closely following the events in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. We take note of India’s announcement revising the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir and India’s plan to split the state into two union territories.”
The statement issued in Washington, however, also referred to India’s position on this issue, without mentioning the Pakistani position. “We note that the Indian government has described these actions as strictly an internal matter,” Ms Ortagus said.
Washington calls for peace and stability along LoC with concern on the situation in the Valley. “We are concerned about reports of detentions and urge respect for individual rights and discussion with those in affected communities,” she said.
Ms Ortagus also underlined the need for maintaining peace and stability along the Line of Control.
“We call on all parties to maintain peace and stability along the Line of Control,” she said.
The statement also failed to mention US President Donald Trump’s recent offers to mediate between India and Pakistan to help resolve the Kashmir dispute.
In a July 22 statement, President Trump said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked him to mediate on the Kashmir dispute. Although India denied ever asking him to do so, Mr Trump reiterated his stance earlier this week, saying that he’s willing to help if both countries ask him to.
On the other hand in Pakistan side an official notification issued on Monday, the joint sitting of the National Assembly and the Senate will be held at 11am on 6th August.
“This House may discuss the recent surge in unprovoked firing and shelling on civilian population and use of cluster bombs by Indian forces in Azad Jammu and Kashmir; deployment of additional troops and atrocities in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and recent developments,” says the agenda issued by the National Assembly Secretariat for the joint sitting.
Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was the first opposition leader who had called for immediately summoning the joint session of parliament.
August 6th, 2019
