Werwan (J&K), Sep 9 : With the almond harvesting in its final stage, growers in Kashmir are ready to hit the market.

Widely known for their superior quality and taste, Kashmiri almonds are very popular. The almonds are also grouped on the basis of shell thickness as "Papery", "Thin-shelled", and "Thick-shelled ".

With a comparatively good weather this season, the growers in Warwan village, famous for its almonds, are hoping for a better return.

New Delhi, Sept 8 : The Election Commission meeting with all political parties of Jammu and Kashmir to determine the timing of the State Assembly elections on Monday evoked differing views.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left parties demanded that elections be held on time, while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Panthers Party wanted delimitation to be done first before finalising the date.

However, the Congress left the timing to be decided by the Commission.

Srinagar, Sept 7 : A top commander of the Al Badr militant outfit was reportedly killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla District on Sunday.

Srinagar, Sept 7 : The Kashmir Valley was tense on Sunday following fresh clashes between security forces and protesters in the wake of a youth being killed in police firing.

Police had to fire teargas shells and had to baton charge stone-pelting mobs in Srinagar. State Government authorities had to deploy both police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in strength to maintain law and order.

The clashes took place in the Maisuma locality, which is in the heart of the city. Areas like Red Cross, Kokerbazar, Madina Chowk and Nai Sadak were also affected, official sources said.

Srinagar, Sept 6: The Coordination committee of both the factions of Hurriyat Conference on Saturday called for a shutdown in the Kashmir Valley.

Residents said that the shutdown call has been given against the indecisiveness of the Jammu and Kashmir Government over the shrine land transfer controversy.

Shops, business establishments, educational institutions and banks remained closed in observance of the shutdown call.

"We are observing this shutdown so that our voice reaches the higher authorities, we want that attention should be paid towards us and that is why the coordination committee has called for a shutdown," said Fayaz Ahmed, a resident.