India Revokes Special Status of Khasmir Region

The Indian government is reported to have abolished Article 370 of the national constitution, which gives special autonomy to the states of Jammu and Kashmir, a part of Kashmir which is predominantly inhabited by Indian Muslims. 

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah told the upper house of parliament that the government would cancel the article. This prompted protests from opposition MPs.

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Citing the threat of cross-border terrorism, Amit Shah announced that the states of Jammu and Kashmir would be divided into two united territories, which were governed directly by the central government. Jammu and Kashmir will also only have a legislative assembly like other Indian countries and not a more autonomous Constituent Assembly.

Launching Sputnik on Monday (5/8), Article 370 allows the state's local legislature, the Jammu Constituent Assembly, to make its own laws and prohibit people from outside the country from buying property there. 

In addition, this article allows citizens of Jammu and Kashmir to obtain employment in the state government and participate in state-sponsored scholarship programs. 

By revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian national government ensures that the national constitution will now be applied in all Himalayan states. { Source }