In a historic decision, India on Monday revoked Article 370 and Article 35(A) that granted the state of Jammu and Kashmir a special status till now.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill will see the state split into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. UT Ladakh will have no legislature and UT Jammu and Kashmir will have a legislature. President Ram Nath Kovind has signed the bill and will come into effect immediately. The presidential promulgation says: "All the provisions of the Constitution shall apply in relation to the state of Jammu and Kashmir."

Under Article 370, the state had its own flag and Constitution and the Parliament's powers in the state were limited to defence, foreign affairs and communications. The provision also granted the state's residents their own laws, such as, citizenship, property ownership and fundamental rights. Likewise, The Centre was also unable to declare an emergency under Article 360 in the presence of this archaic law. Article 35(A) defined the permanent residents of Jammu & Kashmir, as such, outsiders cannot own a property or get a job in the state.

Kashmir unrest
An Indian policeman checks the identification cards of a family during a curfew in Srinagar on 8 August 2016 Danish Ismail/ Reuters

Home Affairs Ministr Amit Shah's announcement was met with opposition and was called a political ploy of the leading government. The Home Minister said in response, "We have four bills on Kashmir. We are ready to discuss everything and give answers on everything,"

Article 144 has been applied in the state of Kashmir and mobile, internet and cable services have shut down. Several leaders of the Valley, including Peopes Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti has been put under house arrest. The government has also barred any public meeting and the educational institutions will also be shut for some time now. Tourists visiting the state for the annual Amarnath Yatra have also been evacuated. More than 25,000 paramilitary forces were deployed in the state in the past week and another 8,000 was airlifted on Monday from different parts of the country.

Under the new bill, anyone can buy a property in the state and settle down. There will no longer be a separate flag for Jammu and Kashmir — the national tricolour flag will be recognised. The new law also revokes the dual citizenship that the residents have enjoyed till date. Per the provision of Article 370 Clause 3, the expression "Constituent Assembly of the State referred to in Clause (2)" will now read "Legislative Assembly of the State".