India has split the northern states of Jammu and Kashmir into two parts. They are to be governed directly from New Delhi. The majority of Buddhist inhabited Ladakh region on the border with China was separated from the rest, mostly Muslim Jammu and Kashmir, the government said on Thursday.
The two new governors took their oath of office the same day. With this step, Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government in New Delhi wants to strengthen its control over the Indian part of Kashmir.
Kashmir is divided among India, Pakistan and China; Pakistan also claims the Indian-ruled part. Both countries have already fought two wars around the Himalayan region since the end of British colonial rule and the breakup of British India into India and Pakistan in 1947.
India acts with severity against the population
New Delhi had already withdrawn Jammu and Kashmir in early August its semi-autonomous status, which had assured the state of its own constitution and far-reaching political rights. This had significantly increased tensions in relation to Pakistan.
To suppress protests, the Delhi government sent tens of thousands of soldiers to Jammu and Kashmir in August severely restricting people's freedom of movement. There is still no internet access in many places and thousands of politicians and activists are still in detention.
Protests and clashes with armed groups have reportedly killed at least 12 people in the past two months. Many schools are still closed.
