According to top sources, the government is all prepared to lower the prices of diesel, petrol and cooking gas after the polling is over for the last phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on December 24. As the global crude prices have dipped to $55 per barrel now, petroleum ministry officials say even a Rs 2 to Rs 3 per litre cut in diesel prices would bring down inflation 60 to 70 basis points (100 basis points is equal to one percentage point).
An official said restrictions on assembly of four or more people also continued to remain force in rest of the Valley as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
Mir's son, Zahoor Ahmed Mir, said his father's security was withdrawn two months ago and all efforts to get it back had fallen on deaf ears.
Pakistan has said that the Kashmir dispute has international ramifications and rejected India's assertion that the ongoing strife there is an internal matter where Islamabad has no role to play and should have no role to play.
The Election Commission is contemplating holding the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections in the month of November and then go for the Assembly elections in five other states after a gap of 10 to 15 days.
After getting a green signal from the Supreme Court, Yechury said he will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday to meet Tarigami.
Official sources said the militants hurled a hand grenade at the force's bunker near Hanuman Mandir but it missed the target and exploded on the road injuring one passerby.
"Talks are the only option," Mehbooba said. "How long can you have a confrontation?"
The former Congress president alleged that PM Modi had a "monopoly over corruption".
Amit Shah said that his party would not compromise on national interest and could end its alliance with PDP, if the 'Kashmir issue' is not solved.
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