KOLKATA: Former envoy to Pakistan G Parthasarathy and former Air Force chief Arup Raha have welcomed the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370 calling it a timely and appropriate decision.

Human rights organsiations, both from within and outside the state, and educationists on the other hand felt that it is a "unilateral decision" which would have long standing ramifications and increase human rights violations in the Kashmir valley.

Parthasarathy commented over phone, "It's better late than never. It's a timely and appropriate decision".

On Opposition's allegation that the Centre's decision would have catastrophic consequences, the former diplomat said there are several union territories that are functioning very well.

"I really don't know how this decision would create unrest. There are several union territories which are functioning well under the central government," he said.

Raha, too welcomed the move and maintained that a long standing status quo has been changed.

"I feel every part of the country should have equal rights. Nobody should have special rights. And I don't think abrogation of Article 370 should raise so much of hue and cry," the Air Chief Marshal said.

Amnesty International India, the country arm of the international human rights organisation, in a statement said unilateral decison by government of India on Kashmir is likely to inflame the prevailing tensions and further alienate the people.

"What J&K has been witnessing over the last few days the additional deployment of thousands of security forces, a blanket blockade of telephone and internet services, restrictions on peaceful assembly has already pushed the people of J&K to the edge. To make matters worse, key political stakeholders have been placed under house arrest.

Noted human rights activist Sujato Bhadra claimed the abrogation would aggravate the prevailing tension in the valley.

"How could the Centre just remove Article 370 without any proper discussion with the stakeholders of J&K? It has pushed entire Kashmir towards uncertainity just to achieve its own political purpose. It would further aggrevate the crisis," Bhadra said.

Litterateur Taslima Nasreen when contacted told PTI, "I will not like to comment on this matter. Let the citizens of the land give their reaction."

Noted historian and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose 's grandnephew Sugata Bose described the Centre;'s action as a "brazen and reckless assault on federalism and democracy".

"It will provoke further alienation among the people of Jammu and Kashmir instead of nurturing a sense of belonging to the Indian Union," he said.

Educationist and former TMC MP Krishna Bose when contacted said she wondered why the BJP-led government at the Centre is in a hurry in all their agendas.

"Innummerable people had shed their blood for Kashmir. The people of the Kashmir valley need a healing touch. Sending the Army to that beautiful land will not help in solving problems," she added.

Subir Sinha, a state government employee, welcomed the decision and said the decision should have been taken atleast 50 years back.

"Had this decision been taken 50 years back, the situation would have been different in the valley. Why would people of J&K be treated differently? What wrong had the Kashmiri pandits committed that they were driven out of their homes," he said.

The West Bengal BJP unit celebrated the historic decision and hailed the Modi government for unifying the country in true sesne.

"The scarifice of Bharat Keshri Syama Prasad Mookherjee has been honoured in true sense today," BJP state general secretary Raju Mukherjee said.

The BJP workers distributed sweets to mark the day.

Some human rights organisation and students wing took out rallies various colleges and universites opposing the move.

