Art 370 has given separatism, terrorism in J&K: PM, hails its revocation 'historic'

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday strongly defended his government's decision to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the provision has not given anything except separatism, corruption and family rule to the state, and Pakistan has used it as a tool to spread terrorism. In his televised address to the nation, Modi hailed his government's decision to revoke the Article as "historic" and said a new era has begun in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. "The dream of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sardar Vallabhai Patel and crores of Indians has now been fulfiled," he said.

Asserting that no one has been able to justify how the Article 370 and Article 35A was benefitting people of the state, the Prime Minister said these provisions did not give anything except separatism, corruption, terrorism and family rule. Attacking Pakistan, which has termed India's move as "unilateral and illegal" and strongly protested by downgrading diplomatic ties, Modi said Pakistan used Article 370 as a "tool to spread terrorism".

"In last three decades, over 42,000 people lost their lives," he said, adding "we will rid J&K of terrorism and separatism under new measures." He also said over 1.5 crore people of J&K were being denied benefits of legislations meant for the entire country. Spelling out his government's development plans for J&K, he said state government employees including police will soon get benefits on par with employees of other Union Territories and all vacant posts in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh will be filled, creating employment opportunities.

He also assured people of J&K that they will get the opportunity to elect their representatives in a transparent way. "As J&K will see more and more development. I do not think it will remain Union Territory for long. Ladakh will remain the UT," Modi said. Earlier this week, the Union government revoked Article 370 to withdraw special status to J&K and bifurcated the region into two UTs --Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh. They also got Parliament nod for it.

These are the top stories from the northern region at 8.30 pm.

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DEL63 JK-CONG-LD AZAD Ghulam Nabi Azad not allowed to enter J-K, says central govt 'mercilessly massacred' state New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was barred from entering Jammu and Kashmir and sent back from the Srinagar airport on Thursday, accused the BJP-led central government of having "mercilessly massacred" the state by "dismembering" it into two parts.

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NRG13 PB-PAK TRADE Trade suspension to hit Pakistan: Pb exporters Chan' Chandigarh: Punjab-based exporters on Thursday said Pakistan's decision to suspend bilateral trade would "hit" the neighbouring nation itself as it imports commodities like vegetables, and spices through Attari-Wagah route.

DES23 PB-COURT-SENTENCE Bhim Tank murder case: 24 sentenced to life imprisonment in Punjab Fazilka (Pb): A court here on Thursday sentenced 24 accused to life imprisonment in a murder case of a 27-year-old Dalit man in Punjab's Abohar in 2015.