Srinagar, July 20 : Kashmir has a bumper crop of plums this season and farmers hope that the total turnover will be around 500 metric tones.

"Last year it was only 2 to 2.5 thousand tones because of adverse weather conditions and this year the target is 500 metric tones," said M S Qasba, Director, Department of Horticulture.

"This year the crop has been very good because snowfall took place at the right time. The plums are juicy and very sweet this year," said Zahoor Ahmad, a plum dealer.

Kashmir, known for its meadows, pine forests and snow-capped peaks, is popular for its fruits and dry-fruits as well.

Srinagar, Kashmir  - At least 35 people inclu

Islamabad, July 18: The meeting of the Pakistan-India Technical Working Group on Kashmir-related CBMs will be held here today.

Earlier, the meeting was scheduled for July 10, but was postponed on India’s request. India had requested to postpone the talks as its head of the delegation had to rush to Afghanistan due to an emergency situation there in the aftermath of suicide bomb blast outside the Indian embassy in Kabul, killing 41 persons, including four Indians.

A team of eight Indian officials, led by MEA Joint Secretary TCA Raghavan will participate in the talks. The Pakistan side will be led by Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary, Director-General (South Asia) in the Pakistan Foreign Office.

London, July 17: A poll undertaken by a think tank -- World Public Opinion --l of Indians and Pakistanis reveals that half or more are open to a range of possible outcomes for Kashmir other than it being part of their respective countries.

According to the poll, on neither side is there strong majority opposition to Kashmir becoming an independent country or dividing Kashmir between Pakistan and India.

More significant, Indians and Pakistanis show a readiness to have the Kashmiri people decide their fate. If a majority of all Kashmiris were to choose independence, a majority of Indians and Pakistanis would find such independence at least tolerable.

Srinagar,

Jammu, July 16 : Pro-Hindu organisation activists today observed a shutdown in Jammu over the issue of forest land not being transformed to the Amarnath Shrine Board.

It may be recalled that initially the Congress-led State Government of former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had ordered the transfer of the land to the shrine board, but when Muslims in the Kashmir Valley raised strong objections to the move, the order was withdrawn.