J&K's Article 370 to go, NSA Ajit Doval to visit Kashmir following massive integration move

As Home Minister Amit Shah proposed to revoke Article 370 that exempts Jammu and Kashmir from following Indian Constitution, thereby taking a monumental step in integrating India, the National Security Advisor will visit the Kashmir valley as per sources. NSA Ajit Doval is expected to visit Kashmir valley later in the day along with other senior security officials to review the situation on ground. NSA Doval had earlier visited Srinagar in last week of July., as per sources. Section 144 has been imposed in the state, and leaders have been put in preventive custody to avoid misinformation. The Centre had in last two weeks deployed 38,000 paramilitary troops in the Kashmir valley in order to strengthen counter-insurgency operations and law and order in the state. 

What is Article 35 A?

Incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential order, Article 35 A defines the permanent residents of the state of Jammu and Kashmir by giving special rights and privileges to the state subjects. It stems from Article 370 that gives autonomous right to Jammu and Kashmir. 

The article is also referred to as Permanent Residents Law and bars woman belonging to the state from any property rights if she marries a person from outside the state. Even the children of such women do not get the right as they do not have any succession rights over the property.

READ: Article 370 to go in J&K: Mehbooba Mufti calls it a failure to keep promise in Kashmir, warns of 'catastrophe'

What is Article 370?

It exempts Jammu and Kashmir from following the Indian Constitution except for Article 1 and itself. It also restricts Parliament's legislative powers in Jammu and Kashmir. It was passed in the Constituent Assembly on May 27, 1949 and is the first article of Part XXI of the Indian Constitution. The heading of this part is ‘Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions’.

Pakistan's plan to attack Kashmir

In a joint press brief by Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon and J&K DGP Dilbag Singh in Srinagar on Friday revealed that they had intelligence inputs that there were attempts of attacks on Amarnath Yatra by Pakistan and that they had recovered IEDs and US made Sniper rifle in the route of the Amarnath Yatra. Following the revelation, JK administration issues advisory to tourists and yatris and asks them to cut short their visit in view of 'safety and security of the yatris' and leave state of Jammu & Kashmir in view of terror threats after army's press conference.

Developments on Kashmir so far

• All party- meet called by Farooq  Abdullah,Mehbooba Mufti : On Sunday, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, NC chief Farooq  Abdullah called for a all party meeting and urged India and Pakistan to not escalate tension for the sake of Kashmir.
   
• The meeting was held at NC chief Farooq Abdullah's residence and was attended by NC leader Omar Abdullah, political rivals PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, J&K People's Conference president Sajad Lone and others to discuss the situation in the state. Following the meeting, Abdullah said, "It was unanimously resolved that all the parties would be united in their resolve to protect and defend identity, anonymity and the special status of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh against all attack and onslaught whatsoever." 
• Home Minister Amit Shah, NSA Ajit Doval high-level meet: Earlier on Sunday, Home Minister Amit Shah held high-level meet with Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and with other top security officials.
   
• As per reports, the Home Minister is also likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir for a couple of days after the conclusion of the Parliament session on August 7. Amit Shah's visit may come before the Independence Day on August 15, amid the prevailing security tensions in the Valley in the aftermath of the curtailment of the Amarnath Yatra by the state government. 
   
• Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Mallik called for an emergency meeting of DG, Chief secretary and IG late night on Sunday. 
   
• Shutdown on Schools, universities were announced. 

READ: J&K: Article 370 to be abrogated, Government plans massive Kashmir investment summit in October