Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister designate of Jammu and Kashmir, shall take charge along with a few Ministers from the National Conference and the Congress, before January 6, after the understanding reached between them.

This was announced after a meeting with the Congress at External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee’s office. Mr. Abdullah, accompanied by the Pradesh Congress Committee President, Saifuddin Soz and party in-charge of J&K, Prithviraj Chavan, said that he shall take the oath along with two National Conference members.

Srinagar, Jan. 2 : Accepting people's mandate in the recently concluded elections, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, chief of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that his party would play the role of a responsible opposition in the state.

"I assure the people that the PDP will fortify the mandate and safeguard their aspiration as a responsible opposition party," said Sayeed said.

He also said that the UPA government should not misconstrue large voter turnout as a solution of the Kashmir issue and demanded renewal of the resolve of the Kashmir resolution process.

Chakan-Da-Bagh (J-K), Jan 2: The tension between India and Pakistan notwithstanding, trade on the cross-Line of Control (LoC) point at Chakan-Da-Bagh continues.

Traders in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch District sent ten quintals tomatoes and 500 woollen shawls to importers in Pakistan on demand.

They admitted that the demand from Pakistan for Indian goods is more, even though supply is on the lower side.

"There is fear in us. But, so far, it hasn''t affected us. But if the war begins, then our money will get stuck on their side and theirs on our side. There are some tensions prevailing," said Bansi Lal, a Poonch trader.

New Delhi, Dec. 31 : In its year-ender assessment for 2008, the Union Home Ministry on Wednesday said that there has been a notable improvement in law and order in both Jammu and Kashmir and the North East.

However, it said that the Naxal violence during the year remained at the same level as compared to last year in terms of number of incidents and casualties of security forces.

The communal situation in the country remained largely under control.

Srinagar, Dec. 31 : The famous Chinar trees that have been a fascination for millions of tourists to watch over the years in Kashmir valley are today facing challenge to their existence here.

Local people have been felling the trees over the years.

Originally brought into the Kashmir Valley in the early 16th century by Mughals, the Chinar trees became the part of heritage in the valley and an ultimate joy to watch by all here. Tourists have chronicled the mighty Chinars as the magic of Kashmir.

Srinagar/Jammu, Dec 31 : People in Jammu and Kashmir by and large are optimistic about the new coalition government in the state to be headed by Omar Abdullah, chief of National Conference Party, in alliance with Congress party.

In Srinagar, residents expressed faith in Omar''s leadership saying he would surely work for the development of the region.

"We are sure he will work for the development of people and solve our problems. All the pending problems will be dealt by him," said Janak Singh, a resident.