This Article is From Aug 08, 2019

Amid Kashmir Lockdown, Pak Tension, PM Modi's Speech Soon

Prime Minister's Narendra Modi's special address comes two days after the government's decision to end special status for Jammu and Kashmir and split it into two union territories.

Prime Minister's Narendra Modi will address the nation today.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 8 pm today in a special broadcast on national television and radio, his office tweeted. The Prime Minister's special address comes two days after the government's decision to end special status for Jammu and Kashmir and split it into two union territories.

In his speech, he is expected to explain the government's decisions on ending special status to Jammu and Kashmir and splitting the state into two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Soon after the bill to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmiri was passed in both houses of parliament, PM Modi said it was a "momentous occasion".

"Together we are, together we shall rise and together we will fulfil the dreams of 130 crore Indians! A momentous occasion in our Parliamentary democracy, where landmark bills pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir have been passed with overwhelming support!" he had tweeted.

Jammu and Kashmir has been paralysed by an unprecedented lockdown to prevent any backlash over the government's big move on Article 370 that gave special status to the state. As part of a complete communications blackout, phone services and internet connections remain suspended. Top officials are using satellite phones to communicate.

In a now-deleted tweet, All India Radio said PM Modi's speech will be available on Indraprashta, FM Rainbow and FM Gold channels.

The last time he addressed the nation was on March 27, ahead of the national election when he announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile (ASAT) capability by shooting down a live satellite.

PM Modi has formally addressed the nation several times in his first term. He gave an address on February 15, a day after the Pulwama terror attack. On November 8, 2016, he appeared on national television, announcing his government's move to ban Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes. 

PM Modi's address comes days before the customary address to the nation on Independence Day from the Red Fort.

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