Kashmir officially loses special status

In August, the Indian government revoked the limited autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, splitting it into two territories and bringing them under federal control. That move officially takes effect today.

I spoke with our correspondent in the South Asia bureau, Suhasini Raj, about what that means.

You’re one of the few journalists who has been to Kashmir since the August decision. On your visits, what has it been like?

A gray sky and worried faces as I walked out of the airport when I visited Srinagar in the first week of August.

Nobody was smiling or laughing. It was hard to find people who looked at ease. The plane was half empty on its way to Srinagar, while there were hourlong queues at the departure area.