*NEW DELHI: *In the back drop of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) beingstripped of its special status and the Himalayan valley being brought to astandstill, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come out saying thatthe decision was taken to to free it from “terrorism and separatism whichwas encouraged by Pakistan.”

*India urges Pakistan to review decision of downgrading diplomatic tieslink*

In his first comments on the constitutional bombshell carried out while IOKwas under a military lockdown, Modi insisted that his government had made a“historic decision”.

The Hindu nationalist government rushed through a presidential decreeMonday to ditch the Muslim-majority region’s constitutionally-guaranteedstatus.

Parliament also passed a law splitting the state into two territories.Pakistan has expelled India’s ambassador and suspended all trade in protestat the move.

“Friends, I have full belief that we will be able to free Jammu and Kashmirfrom terrorism and separatism under this system,” Modi said.

“I have full faith that the people of Jammu and Kashmir, after defeatingseparatism, will move forward with new hopes and aspirations.”

The Indian leader said nuclear rival Pakistanused the special status “as a weapon against the country to inflame thepassions of some people” against the Indian state.

Internet and telephone connections in IOK have been cut since Monday and acurfew imposed as the authorities feared trouble when the decision wasannounced.

Modi said the special status has “not given anything other than terrorism,separatism, nepotism and big corruption.”

Modi said he respected opposition politicians and prominent Kashmiris whohave opposed the government’s strongarm tactics.

“We are working to answer their points but I request them to act to keepIndia’s interests and help Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,” he said.

“I want to assure my Jammu and Kashmir colleagues that slowly things willbecome normal and their problems will reduce.” -APP / AFP