Modi in first talks with Kashmir leaders since autonomy revoked

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Kashmir’s leaders for the first time since the restive region’s semi-autonomy was revoked, as he called for measures to speed up elections for the territory now under direct rule.

Modi’s government moved to bring Jammu and Kashmir under greater central control in August 2019, splitting it into two territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh — and detaining scores of local politicians, AFP reported.

The government also ended Kashmir’s special autonomy status, which it said was a necessary step for the region’s development and for ending a three-decade armed rebellion that has left thousands of mostly civilians dead, AFP reported.

The meeting in the capital New Delhi was an “important step in the ongoing efforts toward a developed and progressive” Jammu and Kashmir, Modi tweeted.

“Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen,” he added, referring to the redrawing of the boundaries of assembly seats to represent population changes.

According to local media, some 14 leaders attended the talks, including former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar — all detained in the months after autonomy was revoked.

After the meeting Omar Abdullah questioned why delimitation was necessary.