Tensions escalated in southeast Asia as India's lower house of Parliament was set to ratify a bill today downgrading the governance of the Indian-administered portion of Muslim-majority Kashmir.
Amid an indefinite security lockdown which continued in the disputed Himalayan region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government submitted the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill for a vote a day after a presidential order was issued dissolving a constitutional provision that gave Kashmiris exclusive hereditary rights and a separate constitution.
Earlier, the local government shut off most communication, including internet, cellphone and landline networks. Thousands of Indian troops were deployed to the restive region.
Fears mounted as the government's steps could spark unrest with Pakistan which claims the sovereignity of the region too. In Islamabad, Pakistan President Arif Alvi convened his country's parliament to discuss India's latest step, while foreign minister earlier denounced the Indian measures and appealed to the United Nations in a letter Monday to send a fact-finding mission.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's top military commanders were meeting in the garrison city of Rawalpindi to discuss the changes in Kashmir. Statements released after the meeting read that Pakistan will do 'what it takes' to face the Indian move.
The Pakistani military was on high alert following reports that New Delhi was continuing to dispatch additional troops to the region.
On his part, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to show restraint, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday.
"We are following with concern the tense situation in the region," Dujarric said. "We're also aware of reports of restrictions on the Indian side of Kashmir, and we urge all parties to exercise restraint."
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