Locals in the Valley welcomed the Centre’s decision, with many saying that rumours of unrest and strikes in the Valley were untrue and that the situation was very much under control

Several leaders from the opposition camp expressed angst and displeasure with the Centre’s move, with several leaders from the Valley accusing the government of toying with democracy and their Constitutional rights

Section 144 was imposed in the Valley on Sunday, a day before the Rajya Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019

The BJP overcame the toughest hurdle by letting the Bill pass in the Upper House and they succeeded in getting it through in the Lok Sabha with a thumping majority on Tuesday

Srinagar: Article 370 gave special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1952 and the Valley enjoyed the benefits of being a state with a separate Constitution for a period of 67 years.

However, call it a masterstroke or the will to reclaim lost pride, the Bharatiya Janata Party–led central government passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, first in the Rajya Sabha on Monday (August 5) and the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (August 6). Remember the dates. The 72-year-old history of India has been redefined within two days.

The Indian Constituent Assembly had adopted Article 370 on 17 October 1949, providing special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, along with internal autonomy. The Article officially came into effect on 17 November 1952.

However, locals in the Valley seemed happy with the Centre’s decision, with several of them saying it on record that rumours of unrest and strikes in the Valley were untrue and the situation was under control.

Article 370 has been abolished. How did you feel when you got to know about it?

It is the right thing to do. Everything is normal here. Everything is working first-class. It is good that 370 has been lifted. There are only benefits to this, no loss. Now there will be jobs and other things. I only see advantages in this.

What about the children? Is it good for them?

It is very good for them.

So there is no irritation amongst people?

No, not at all. Everything is fine.

Are you all happy? What about your neighbourhood?

Yes, all of us are happy. Everyone here are happy.

Several leaders from the opposition camp expressed angst and displeasure with the Centre’s move, with several leaders from the Valley accusing the government of toying with democracy and their Constitutional rights. Jammu & Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehboobs Mufti, both former J&K chief ministers, were kept on house arrest and then preventive detention on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.

Section 144 was imposed in the Valley on Sunday, a day before the Rajya Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019. The BJP overcame the toughest hurdle by letting the Bill pass in the Upper House and they succeeded in getting it through in the Lok Sabha with a thumping majority on Tuesday.