KASHMIR region was stripped of its autonomy to free it from "terrorism and separatism" which was encouraged by Pakistan, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said Thursday (8).
In his first comments on the constitutional bombshell carried out while Kashmir was under military lockdown, Modi insisted that his government had made a "historic decision".
The Indian government rushed through a presidential decree Monday (5) to ditch the region's constitutionally-guaranteed status.
Parliament also passed a law splitting the state into two territories.
Kashmir is also claimed by Pakistan which on Wednesday (7) expelled India's ambassador and suspended all trade in protest at the move.
"Friends, I have full belief that we will be able to free Jammu and Kashmir from terrorism and separatism under this system," Modi said.
"I have full faith that the people of Jammu and Kashmir, after defeating separatism, will move forward with new hopes and aspirations."
The Indian leader said Pakistan used the special status "as a weapon against the country to inflame the passions of some people" against the Indian state.
Tens of thousands of people have died in a three-decade-old insurgency in Kashmir.
Internet and telephone connections in Kashmir have been cut since Monday (5) and a curfew imposed as the authorities feared trouble when the decision was announced.
Modi said the special status has "not given anything other than terrorism, separatism, nepotism and big corruption."
Modi said he respected opposition politicians and prominent Kashmiris who have opposed the government's strongarm tactics.
"We are working to answer their points but I request them to act to keep India's interests and help Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh," he said.
"I want to assure my Jammu and Kashmir colleagues that slowly things will become normal and their problems will reduce."
The contentious move comes just days before the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, and Modi said Kashmiris would not face difficulties celebrating the holiday.
(AFP)
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)