The US on Tuesday said that it was “closely” observing theevents in Jammu and Kashmir following the Indian government scrapping theconstitutional provision that accorded special status to the state.

In a statement, US State Department spokesperson MorganOrtagus voiced concern over reports of the detention of some Kashmiri leadersand urged "respect for individual rights" and talks with thoseaffected.“We are closely following the events in the state of Jammu andKashmir.  We take note of India’sannouncement revising the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir andIndia’s plan to split the state into two union territories,” Morgan Ortagussaid.“We note that Indian government described these actions as strictly aninternal matter. We're concerned about reports of detentions and urge respectfor individual rights and discussion with those in affected communities. Callon all parties to maintain peace and stability along the LoC,” she added.

On Monday, the Central government scrapped Article 370 ofthe Constitution that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and convertedthe state into a Union Territory with a legislature.

Rajya Sabha approved the resolution abrogating Article 370for Jammu and Kashmir and a bill to bifurcate the state into two unionterritories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, with Home Minister Amit Shah sayingthe controversial provisions were responsible for poverty and lack ofdevelopment in the state.     It alsosplit the state by hiving off Ladakh region and making it into a UnionTerritory without a legislature.