NEW DELHI, Aug. 6 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the reading down of Article 370, which gave the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir special status marked a "decisive new chapter" in history. On August 5, 2019, the Union government tabled a bill to bifurcate the state into two Union territories and also read down Articles 370 and 35(A) that gave the erstwhile state special powers to determine issues of domicile. "Seven years ago, on this day, Articles 370 and 35(A) became history, marking a decisive new chapter in the journey of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh," the PM said in a post on X. The PM said the Centre reaffirms its commitment to the progress of J&K as well as Ladakh and to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to dream big, achieve and contribute to the making of a Viksit Bharat. "...Since then, the lives of the people of J&K and Ladakh have witnessed wide-ranging transformation. Infrastructure has expanded, opportunities in areas such as education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports have grown. Be it the women or the marginalised communities, those who were denied their basic constitutional rights for decades have been empowered thanks to the full application of the Constitution of India," he said. After Parliament gave its consent, J&K was carved out as a UT with assembly and Ladakh was given the status of a UT without legislature. The PM said the Centre reaffirms its commitment to the progress of J&K as well as Ladakh and to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to dream big, achieve and contribute to the making of a Viksit Bharat. "...5th August this year assumes even greater significance as this is the year our nation commemorates the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. His lifelong commitment to national unity continues to inspire generations. What he envisioned decades ago found historic fulfilment on 5th August 2019," he said. Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that August 5 has played an important role in ending the discriminatory system against terror victims in Jammu and Kashmir as he resolved to dismantle the terror networks, bringing its perpetrators and enablers to justice. Sinha made these remarks in Srinagar as he handed over appointment letters to 37 next of kins (NoKs) of civilians who were killed by terrorists during the past more than two decades. Appointment letters were also handed over to 32 beneficiaries under Compassionate Appointment Rules SRO-43 and Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS). "These were many families which had become targets of terrorist violence and from a long time their next of kins were waiting for a government job...But it took a long time. Now there are efforts that each such person is identified and all terror victims' next of kin get a job. Many families got a job and a chance to live respectable lives," he told reporters. "Today is also important because the day has played an important role in ending the discriminatory arrangements here," the LG said....