<p class="title">Lieutenant General D B Shekatkar (retd) on Monday said the Centre's decision on Article 370 was "long overdue" and asserted it has sent a strong message across the world that there is no scope for any "mediation" or "arbitration" to solve the Kashmir issue.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Centre on Monday abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and proposed that the border state be bifurcated into two Union Territories (UTs) - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><strong>Article 370 scrapped: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/liveblog/kashmir-live-mufti-abdullah-arrested-cong-leader-praises-scrapping-article-370-752128.html">Live Updates</a></strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">Later in the day, the Rajya Sabha approved a resolution abrogating the contentious Article of the Constitution and a bill to bifurcate the state into two UTs.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The decision (to scrap Article 370) was long overdue...had the decision was taken earlier, the issue of terrorism would not have been there," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Army veteran said the country, as well as Jammu & Kashmir, have paid a "very heavy price" because of such "encouragement" in the form of Articles 370 and 35A (dealing with the special status of the state and certain privileges granted to its residents).</p>.<p class="bodytext">He supported the reorganisation of J&K and Ladakh into Union Territories and said the latter region will be able to develop itself as per its own culture.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Last year, China made an official statement that the problem of Kashmir was no more confined to India and Pakistan and said they, too, have stakes in it...</p>.<p class="bodytext">...they said that because the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, which is an Indian territory," he said, adding Islamabad would now be worried about India's next move vis-a-vis PoK.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said by revoking Article 370, India has sent a message across the world that there is no scope for "mediation or arbitration" in the Kashmir issue.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Now India should be more concerned about new developments as a new axis is developing between China and Pakistan to control Afghanistan once American forces withdraw and that probably will have implications in Kashmir," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The retired Army general cautioned the Centre, saying it should not now become "complacent" and think the decades-old issue of Kashmir has been resolved.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"In fact, problems will start now as those who have gone out of power after this decision will try and create problems and they may shake hands with Hurriyat (separatists).</p>.<p class="bodytext">"So, the Centre should be ready to tackle these challenges," he said. </p>
<p class="title">Lieutenant General D B Shekatkar (retd) on Monday said the Centre's decision on Article 370 was "long overdue" and asserted it has sent a strong message across the world that there is no scope for any "mediation" or "arbitration" to solve the Kashmir issue.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Centre on Monday abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and proposed that the border state be bifurcated into two Union Territories (UTs) - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><strong>Article 370 scrapped: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/liveblog/kashmir-live-mufti-abdullah-arrested-cong-leader-praises-scrapping-article-370-752128.html">Live Updates</a></strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">Later in the day, the Rajya Sabha approved a resolution abrogating the contentious Article of the Constitution and a bill to bifurcate the state into two UTs.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The decision (to scrap Article 370) was long overdue...had the decision was taken earlier, the issue of terrorism would not have been there," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Army veteran said the country, as well as Jammu & Kashmir, have paid a "very heavy price" because of such "encouragement" in the form of Articles 370 and 35A (dealing with the special status of the state and certain privileges granted to its residents).</p>.<p class="bodytext">He supported the reorganisation of J&K and Ladakh into Union Territories and said the latter region will be able to develop itself as per its own culture.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Last year, China made an official statement that the problem of Kashmir was no more confined to India and Pakistan and said they, too, have stakes in it...</p>.<p class="bodytext">...they said that because the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, which is an Indian territory," he said, adding Islamabad would now be worried about India's next move vis-a-vis PoK.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said by revoking Article 370, India has sent a message across the world that there is no scope for "mediation or arbitration" in the Kashmir issue.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Now India should be more concerned about new developments as a new axis is developing between China and Pakistan to control Afghanistan once American forces withdraw and that probably will have implications in Kashmir," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The retired Army general cautioned the Centre, saying it should not now become "complacent" and think the decades-old issue of Kashmir has been resolved.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"In fact, problems will start now as those who have gone out of power after this decision will try and create problems and they may shake hands with Hurriyat (separatists).</p>.<p class="bodytext">"So, the Centre should be ready to tackle these challenges," he said. </p>