- Tension in Kashmir, over 500 arrests
- Kashmir, Pakistan closes trade relations with India and expels the ambassador
- India abolishes the constitutional autonomy of Kashmir, a protest from Pakistan
- Terrorism alert in Kashmir, 20,000 tourists evacuated
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08 August 2019The Indian government has decided to revoke the status of autonomy enjoyed by the Kashmir region because "Pakistan has used it as a tool to spread terrorism". The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said this in a speech to the nation.
In an appeal to the nation in the midst of the crisis with Pakistan for the cancellation of the special amendment of the Constitution that precisely guaranteed the autonomy of the region (the only Indian state with an Islamic majority, ed), Modi said that it also produced separatism, corruption and the "government of a few families". In his 48-minute speech, the prime minister called the choice of his government a historic step by which the dreams of many have finally become reality.
Meanwhile, security agencies have arrested over 500 people to prevent further violence: state-run radio station All India Radio reports. Yesterday, a young protester died during clashes with police in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, while at least six others were hospitalized, some with gunshot wounds.
Pakistan suspends the rail link with India
Islamabad today announced the suspension of a key train service to neighboring India in response to the lifting of the special status in Kashmir. Pakistani Transport Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has announced that the Express - or 'Friendship Express' - service is suspended with immediate effect. The announcement came as passengers waited for the train at Lahore station to travel to India. Yesterday, Pakistan had already announced the suspension of trade relations with Nuova Dehli, the withdrawal of its ambassador to India and the expulsion of the Indian one in Islamabad.