Outsiders now can buy land in Kashmir

India has amended a law in Jammu and Kashmir allowing Indian citizens to buy land in the disputed territory, said officials, sparking opposition criticism about a steady erosion of the rights of Kashmiri people.

A notification issued on Tuesday stated that the term "being permanent resident of the state" as a criteria has been "omitted", paving the way for even non-Kashmiri Indians to purchase land in the Himalayan region.

Until last year, the region enjoyed a special status, guaranteed by the Indian constitution, which allowed it to make its own rules about permanent residency and property ownership.

Opposition leaders in Kashmir have criticised the Modi government for rewriting the land laws.

"The amendments have put Jammu and Kashmir up for sale...These new laws are unacceptable to people of J&K," said former J&K CM Omar Abdullah in a tweet.