No, Modi govt is not trying to split Jammu and Kashmir into three parts

A viral message on social media says the Modi govt is trying to make Jammu a separate state and Kashmir and Ladakh union territories.

File photo of security personnel stand guard at Lal Chowk in Srinagar | PTI

New Delhi: A message has been doing the rounds on social media platforms claiming that the Modi government is trying to make Jammu a separate state, and Kashmir and Ladakh union territories.

“Government of India to make Jammu a separate state, Kashmir and Ladakh as union territories. Means we can’t have any political views party, and will be controlled by Delhi based governor forever. Order will be made in next 1 week (sic),” reads a Facebook post by a page called AmazingKoshur. It has been shared over 1,700 times.

The same message is also being widely circulated on WhatsApp and Twitter. It also adds that a curfew will be imposed in the state two days ahead of the order and shall automatically abrogate Article 370, which grants Jammu and Kashmir its special status.

There has, however, been no suggestion by the government to split the state into three parts as the messages claim.

Reality check

The administration has cut short the Amarnath Yatra two weeks ahead of schedule with security forces finding an M-24 sniper rifle, IEDs and landmines belonging to the Pakistani army along the pilgrimage route.

Earlier this week, extra troops were deployed in the Valley. The administration’s actions come in the wake of what they see as an imminent security threat.

However, many see this deployment as the BJP’s attempt to abrogate article 35A, which allows the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define a “permanent resident” in the state. Removal of 35A was one of the BJP’s key poll promises.

In collaboration with SMHoaxslayer