INDIA has formally implemented legislation that removes Indian-controlled Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status and begins direct federal rule of the disputed area amid a security lockdown and widespread public disenchantment.
The legislation divides the former state of Jammu-Kashmir into two federally governed territories.
Tens of thousands of police and paramilitary soldiers fanned out across the region, patrolling streets and manning checkpoints.
GC Murmu, a new civilian administrator appointed by prime minister Narendra Modi’s government with the title of lieutenant governor, assumed office yesterday. The region was previously headed by a governor.
The Hindu nationalist-led government of Modi sent thousands of additional troops and arrested activists before imposing the changes in the Muslim-majority region.
The most visible ones are the absence of Kashmir’s own flag and constitution, which were eliminated as part of the region’s new status.
“Everything changes on Thursday. From a state, we are reduced to a municipality,” said a retired Kashmiri judge, Hasnain Masoodi, a member of India’s parliament.
THE situation in Greece’s migrant camps is “explosive”, a senior European Union official has said.
Dunja Mijatovic, left, the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights, has urged the country’s authorities to transfer asylum seekers from islands to the mainland as soon as possible.
Mijatovic said she saw appalling conditions in the “vastly overcrowded camps” on Lesbos, Samos and Corinth, including people waiting in line for hours to get food or use bathrooms, “when these are available”.
According to recently reported EU data, Greece is now Europe’s busiest entry point, with more than 47,500 arrivals this year through until October 6, a 29% increase from 2018.
A FIRE caused by a cooking gas stove on a train in Punjab, Pakistan, has killed at least 71 passengers, officials said.
PM Imran Khan offered condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He also ordered an urgent investigation into the incident.
Officials said they were still trying to identify the victims and that the lists of fatalities and those injured were not ready yet. Pakistan’s military said troops were also participating in the rescue operation.
AND finally, former International Monetary Fund head Christine Lagarde takes over as European Central Bank (ECB) president tomorrow. Lagarde succeeds Mario Draghi, who was head of the bank for the 19 countries that use the euro and kept the currency union together through a financial crisis.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel