UNSC likely to hold closed-door talks on Kashmir today

The Indian government revoked Article 370 that had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. 

According to media reports, the UNSC will hold a closed-door meeting on the issue.

“We hope the Security Council discussion will be guided by the statement of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres who has voiced concern over the situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” Pakistan’s UN envoy Maleeha Lodhi was quoted as saying by Dawn News.

According to Dawn News, she pointed out that the secretary general had also emphasised the need to resolve this “issue in accordance with applicable Security Council Resolutions and the Charter of the United Nations”.

India on Thursday celebrated its 73rd Independence Day.

It was also observed in Kashmir and Ladakh regions since the Centre made changes in Kashmir last week.

The Indian Supreme Court on Tuesday said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is still sensitive and the Centre must get a reasonable time to ensure normalcy in the Valley, media reports said.

The top court said while it was hearing a petition seeking an immediate lifting of lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir which has lost its special status by the Centre's move of scrapping Article 370.

The apex court has also adjourned the case for two weeks.

The BJP government bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.

Several Kashmir leaders including former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers- Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti- have been kept under detention. Section 144 is still imposed in the state.