HIGHLIGHTS: Article 370 Scrapped, J&K Bifurcation Bill Passed In RS; Omar, Mehbooba Mufti Detained

The government on Monday scrapped Article 370 that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and has proposed to move a bill to bifurcate the state into two separate union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Ahead of the move. the government put former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, and Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference chairman Sajjad Ghani Lone, three of the most prominent political leaders in the Valley, under house arrest.

Mobile services, Internet and landlines have been suspended in Jammu and Kashmir.

Here are all the live updates from Jammu and Kashmir:

8:57PM: J&K People's Conference leaders Sajjad Lone, Imran Ansari arrested: Officials

7:55PM: PDP chief and former Chief Minister of J&K detained and shifted to Hari Niwas guest house.

7:52PM: Senior officials of Ministry of External Affairs are briefing envoys of several countries, including P5 (China,France,Russia, the UK & the US), on proposals related to Article 370 of Indian Constitution&administrative reorganization of J&K that were introduced in Parliament today.

6:45 PM: Rajya Sabha Passes Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill. 125 in favour, 61 against.

6:40PM: Rajya Sabha to vote on Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation bill, the process of voting has begun.

6:30PM: Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha:  Full state status will be restored to Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate time; when normalcy returns 

6:25PM: Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha: You stand here in Parliament and say bloodshed will happen in Kashmir...what message are you sending to the valley? You want them to continue living in the 18th-century system, don't the people there have the right to live in the 21st century? Those who provoke have kids studying in London and the US.

6:20PM: Amit Shah:  Even after article 370, Kashmir was, is and will remain heaven on earth

6:15PM:  Home Minister Amit Shah: article 370 was also anti-women, anti-Adivasi, anti-Dalits, anti-OBC

6:11PM: Home Minister Amit Shah: Scrapping 370 won't impact J&K's culture

6:10PM: Home Minister Amit Shah:  Ayushman Bharat scheme is there in Kashmir but where are the hospitals? where are doctors and nurses?  Those supporting 35A please tell me which famous doctor will go and live there and practice? He can't own land or house nor his children can vote. Professionals cannot work in J&K due to laws. How can a temporary law last 70 years?

6:05PM: Amit Shah says, "Article 370 was a tool which was used to misguide the youth of Kashmir. It was a hindrance to development in Kashmir. "

6:00PM: Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha: Article 370 was the main cause of terrorism. Terrorism will go only when 370 goes. 

5:50PM: Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha: "We don't believe in politics of religion, what vote-bank politics? Do only Muslims live in Kashmir? What do you want to say? Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists all live there. If 370 is good it is good for all, if it is bad then it is bad for all.

5:45PM: Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha: "I want to tell the people of J&K what damage 370 & 35A did to the state. It's because of these sections that democracy was never fully implemented, corruption increased in the state, that no development could take place."

4:54PM: Delhi-based lawyer Kevin James says, “Article 370 regulates the manner in and extent to which the Constitution of India applies to J&K. Constitutional provisions are made applicable to J&K through Presidential orders passed under Article 370(1), which can modify provisions for this purpose as well. Today's order makes all constitutional provisions applicable to J&K.

"To make Article 370 itself inapplicable, the procedure under Article 370(3) needs to be followed which involves a notification passed by the President necessarily on the recommendation of the State Constituent Assembly. Today's Presidential order, however, modifies Article 367 to state that the reference to State Constituent Assembly in Article 370(3) will be read as State Legislative Assembly. Since J&K has been under President's rule since December 2018, the State Legislative Assembly's powers in this regard are now exercisable under Parliament's authority."

4:42PM: Congress leader Kapil Sibal: "Today we should think about why we're here and what should democracy involve. I know the Bill will be passed as you (BJP) have manufactured a majority, therefore, we can do nothing about it. While you call this a historic moment, only history will judge whether it was historic or not."

3:51pm: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh described the Centre's move as "totally unconstitutional" and said such a decision should not have been "pushed through" in an arbitrary manner.

3:27PM:  BJP veteran L K Advani terms as "historic" the government's move to scrap Article 370 and said it is a "bold step towards strengthening national integration".

3:25PM: Telugu Desam Party supports the government's move on Article 370.

3:07PM: NSA Ajit Doval is expected to visit Kashmir valley today along with other senior security officials to review the situation on ground. NSA Doval had earlier visited Srinagar in last week of July.

2:50PM: Constitution expert Subhash Kashyap says scrapping Article 370 is constitutionally sound and no legal and constitutional fault can be found in it. "Govt has carefully studied the matter."

2:45PM: Pakistan President Arif Alvi: terms the scrapping of Article 370 "against the resolutions of UNSC & against wishes of the Kashmiri people". Alvi said Pakistan supports stands with the people of Kashmir "in their hour of need".

2:18PM: Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "As the party to this international dispute, Pakistan will exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps. Pakistan reaffirms its abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause."

2:05PM: Ministry of Home Affairs issues advisory to all states and Union Territories to put law enforcement agencies on maximum alert to prevent any breach of security.

It also requested toto take special care ofKashmiris currently staying in other parts of India.

State and Union Territories have been advised to maintain a vigil on false, unverified news and rumours being circulated on social media.

2:03PM: "We heartily welcome government's brave decision; it was very necessary for national interest, including of J&K," saysRSS.

2:00PM: DMK President, MK Stalin, says that without consulting people of Jammu and Kashmir, Article 370 has been taken away. "Democracy has been murdered. AIADMK is also supporting the decision which is condemnable."

1:56PM: Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad: "A border state, which is culturally, geographically, historically and politically different was bound together by Article 370. Drunk in power and to get votes, BJP government scrapped 3-4 things. They've cut off head of the country. Political parties will fight&stand with J&K."

1:47PM: NCP leader Sharad Pawar: "I think government should have taken the leaders of the Valley into confidence. And then they should have taken the decision to revoke Article 370."

1:30PM: MDMK leader Vaiko in Rajya Sabha: "You have played with the sentiments of people of Kashmir. When additional army personnel were deployed there, I was worried. Kashmir should not become Kosovo, East Timor and South Sudan. I am opposing this Bill (Article 370). This is a day of shame...This is murder of democracy."

1:23PM: India has become independent in true sense today, says Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on government's Article 370 move.

1:21PM: Former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee: "I don't think there is anything revolutionary here. It's a political decision even though it is not a wise decision."

1:19PM: "Governmet's move on Article 370 is fulfilment of dream of Bal Thackeray, Vajpayee:," says Shiv Sena.

1:15PM: BJP ally JD(U) walks out of Rajya Sabha.

1:12PM: Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal supports government's decision to scrap Article 370.

1:07PM: Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena in Rajya Sabha: "Today we have taken Jammu & Kashmir. Now we will reclaim Balochistan and PoK. I am sure the PM will fulfil the dream of 'Akhand Bharat'.

1:03PM: Opposition parties created ruckus in Lok Sabha as they raised concernsabout the Kashmir situation even as the House continued to transact business. Memebers from Congress, DMK, NC, and RSP were in the well shouting slogans and demanding a reply from the government on the Kashmir situation.

1:01PM: Indian Army and Indian Air Force have been put on high alert, following revoking of Article 370.

1248PM: BJD MP, Prasanna Acharya in Rajya Sabha: In real sense today, Jammu & Kashmir has become a part of India. My party supports this resolution. We are a regional party but for us nation is first.

12:40PM: Statement of Omar Abdullah, Vice-President of National Conference and former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir: "Government of India's unilateral and shocking decisions today are a total betrayal of the trust of that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had reposed in India when the state aceeded to it in 1947."

12:36PM: Close to 8,000 additional paramilitary troops airlifted and moved in from Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Assam and other parts of the country to the Kashmir valley. Troops induction still going on.

12:35PM: Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi says: , "Our chief Nitish Kumar is carrying forward the tradition of JP Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia & George Fernandes. So our party is not supporting the Bill moved in the Rajya Sabha today. We have different thinking. We want that Article 370 should not be revoked."

12:31PM: Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley says: "The government’s decision in relation to Article 370 is a monumental decision towards National integration. A historical wrong has been undone today. Article 35A came through the back door without following the procedure under Article 368 of the Constitution of India. It had to go."

12:26PM: Hone Minister Amit Shah: "This is not the first time, Congress in 1952 and 1962 amended Article 370 through similar process. So instead of protesting please let me speak and have a discussion, all your doubts and misunderstandings will be cleared, I am ready to answer all your questions."

12:23PM: Copy of the Indian Constitution torn in Rajya Sabha today by PDP MP Mir Mohammad Fayaz. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu directed him to leave the House after this incident.

12:21PM: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, BJP MP from Ladakh: "I welcome the Bill on behalf of everyone in Ladakh. People there wanted the region to be a Union Territory. People in Ladakh wanted that the region be freed from the dominance & discrimination of Kashmir, that is happening today."

12:20PM: Government proposes two Lt. Governors: one for J&K and one for Ladakh.

12:13 PM: Satish Chandra Mishra, BSP MP, in Rajya Sabha says, "Our party gives complete support. We want the Bill be passed. Our party is not expressing any opposition to Article 370 Bill & the other Bill."

12:07 PM: PDP's RS MPs Nazir Ahmad Laway and MM Fayaz protest in Parliament premises. 

12:04 PM: Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah said that under the umbrella of Article 370 three families looted J&K for years. Leader of Opposition (Ghulam Nabi Azad) said Article 370 connected J&K to India, it's not true. Maharaja Hari Singh signed J&K Instrument of Accession on 27 Oct 1947, Article 370 came in 1954. 

12:01 PM: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has extended its support to the Centre's decision to scrap Article 370. The Congress has called it a "mockery of democracy". 

11:57 AM: According to Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu, PDP's Mir Fayaz and Nazir Ahmed Laway were asked to go out of the house(Rajya Sabha) after they attempted to tear the constitution.

11:54 AM: The country wants to know why Article 370 existed for so long, asks Amit Shah.  

11:53 AM: Amit Shah responds saying Article 370 never allowed Kashmir to grow and become a part of mainstream India. 

11:50 AM:  Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad speaks in the Rajya Sabha, says the BJP "murdered the constitution." 

11:46 AM:

11:39 AM: Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti has called it the "darkest day in India's democracy." 

11:38 AM: The statement from the Home Ministry says, "Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this article, the President may, by public notification, declare that this article shall cease to be operative or shall be operative only with such exceptions and modifications and from such date as he may specify: Provided that the recommendation of the Constituent Assembly of the State referred to in clause."

11:35 AM: Ladakh will be a separate union territory without an Assembly.

11:32 AM: Home Minister Amit Shah has moved the Jammu and Kashmir reorganisation bill to give the status of a Union Territory to the state of J&K. 

Constituent Assembly of State, as mentioned under Art 370, to be replaced with Legislative Assembly of State. This means state assembly now has the power to make all legislative changes that were not possible since the dissolution of the Kashmir Constituent Assembly.

11:26 AM: President Ram Nath Kovind has signed the Constitution order scrapping Article 370. 

11:14 AM: Home Minister Amit Shah moves bill To scrap Article 370 which gives special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Opposition continues to protest even as Amit Shah moves bills on the status of Jammu and Kashmir.  

11:13 AM: "I request Ghulam Nabi Azad to listen to me first and then we can discuss everything in detail, "says Amit Shah. 

11:12 AM: Home Minister Amit Shah starts speaking in the Rajya Sabha. 

11:03 AM: Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad intervenes before Amit Shah's statement. He urges Shah to address the Kashmir issue first.  

10:56 AM: Former finance minister P Chidambaram had tweeted saying, "I had warned of a misadventure in J&K. It seems the government is determined to embark upon one. The house arrest of J&K leaders is a signal that the government will defy all democratic norms and principles to achieve its objects. I condemn the house arrests."  

10:53 AM: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also expected to introduce Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 on Monday in Rajya Sabha. The bill was passed in Lok Sabha on July 1.

This bill, if passed by Upper House of Parliament, will provide up to 10 per cent quota for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in educational institutions and public employment alongside existing reservations in the state.

10:44 AM: Visuals from Leh.

10:33 AM: Home Minister Amit Shah has reached the Parliament.  The Home Secretary is currently meeting him before he speaks at 11 AM in the Rajya Sabha. 

10:31 AM: Industrialist Anand Mahindra has also tweeted on the prevalent situation in Jammu and Kashmir. 

10:12 AM: The Union Cabinet meeting at Prime Minister's residence has just concluded and Home Minister Amit Shah has left for the Parliament. The Home Minister will issue a statement in both houses -- Rajya Sabha at 11 am and Lok Sabha in 12 noon. 

9:19 AM: The Union Cabinet meeting gets underway in about 15 minutes from now. NDTV reports that even Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had met Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday to discuss the ongoing situation in Jammu and Kashmir. 

8:54 AM: Meanwhile, schools will 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 region. 

8:29 AM: The Union Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Monday morning at the official residence of Prime Minister in the national capital. The meeting is scheduled at 9.30 am at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. Jammu and Kashmir is likely to be at the top of this meeting's agenda.

8:01 AM: Security has been tightened in Srinagar given the imposition of section 144 CrPC from midnight 5th August.

8:00 AM: Before Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were placed under house arrest on Sunday night, an all-party meeting was held at the former's residence in Srinagar.

Farooq Abdullah, the National Conference chairman, has appealed India and Pakistan not to take any step that may escalate an already tense situation between the two countries.

"It has been unanimously decided that all the parties will be united in their resolve to protect and defend identity, autonomy and the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, against all attacks, whatsoever," he said last night.

7:44 AM: At midnight, the Jammu and Kashmir government had informed that restrictions imposed under section 144 CrPC in district Srinagar with effect from midnight 5th August, which shall remain in force till further orders. There shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed.