LIVE!!! Jammu and Kashmir after the End of Article 370 : Vote in Lok Sabha Today

After gaining a two-thirds majority in the Rajya Sabha, the resolution to repeal Article 370, which gives special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir - will be debated and voted in the upper house today.

The bill which abolishes the special state status of J &K and bifurcates the state into two Union Territories – J & K and Ladakh, are likely to pass easily in the Lok Sabha as the government has a clear majority.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday informed members of the Lok Sabha that Home Minister Amit Shah will make a statement in Lok Sabha today, following which there will be a discussion and debate in the House before the vote takes place.

He urged the members of the Lok Sabha not to walk out of the house and create ruckus in the parliament.

"The home minister has assured that discussion on the resolution will be held tomorrow and he will answer all the questions raised by the opposition leaders. There is no reason to walk out.” Singh said in the Lower house of the parliament.

President Ram Nath Kovind has already followed procedure and issued a gazette notification and gave his approval for the revocation of Article 370.

Back in Kashmir, former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have been under house arrest and restrictions have been put in place in J&K to ensure peace across the Valley.

Mr. Abdullah and Ms. Mufti were arrested after the vote in Rajya Sabha last evening and shifted to the government guest house. Internet services and mobile services have been suspended in most of the places and all public gatherings are banned in Srinagar district as section 144 has been imposed in the valley.

There will be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed as per order.  

Even, the government's move to end special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 has split the Congress down the middle.

Where some prominent leaders of Congress vehemently opposed the government’s decision, some prominent leaders of the leading opposition party are coming out in support.