ISLAMABAD:India’s Modi government has formally divided the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two new federally-administered territories.
In the new arrangement, Jammu and Kashmir is one territory while Ladakh which also borders China is separate. The two new union territories are now ruled directly from the capital Delhi.
According to reports, the step is a part of a controversial move announced in August to tighten the Indian government’s control over the part of Kashmir it administers.
Meanwhile, normal life remains disrupted in occupied Kashmir due to unprecedented military clampdown and total communications blackout, which entered 88th straight day, today (Thursday).
Restrictions under Section 144 are in place. Public transport is off the roads and train service remains suspended.