The Narendra Modi government on Monday announced it was bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two parts: Jammu and Kashmir as one Union Territory and Ladakh as another.
The announcement came after Home Minister Amit Shah moved a bill to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Presenting the bifurcation need, Shah argued that Ladakh was a large region with a sparse population. He noted there had been a long-pending demand for Union Territory status to fulfil aspirations of the people. Ladakh would be a Union territory without a legislature.
Shah noted, “Keeping in mind the prevailing security situation” and threat of cross-border terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir would be a separate Union Territory with a legislature.
The move is expected to exacerbate opposition to the Modi government's security plans as Union Territory status gives the Centre greater powers over the region.
