Srinagar, Apr 16 : The Kashmir Tourism department has come up with a unique way of adding to the idyllic charm of the valley and captivating the tourists.

After nearly two decades, an initiative by state tourism authorities has revived the custom of musical nights in Kashmir.

A musical night organised near the Zabarwan park overlooking Dal Lake in Srinagar on April 14 enthralled the local youngsters.

The event added to the bewitching charm of the valley.

Srinagar, Apr 16 : Kashmir has witnessed an upsurge in the social position of women folk in recent years.

With restrictions on music and other entertainment sources imposed by the rebels, particularly on women, music for them had become a distant dream.

However, a new trend was seen at a latest talent show "Mile Sur", which was organised by Doordarshan in Srinagar with financial assistance of Jammu and Kashmir bank.

Srinagar, Apr. 16 : The moderate faction of the Hurriyat conference has said that it will not use the word boycott in the ongoing parliamentary polls in the state.

A decision to this effect was taken despite the fact that its hardline political faction has chosen to call for the poll boycott and even expressed resolve to conduct an anti-election campaign.

The decision was reached after a three day marathon meeting at the faction''s Rajbagh headquarters in Srinagar.

"Kashmir is a disputed territory and to hold sham elections in the state is a dubious act which will not affect the status of the dispute," the Hurriyat Conference said in a statement issued to the press.

Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir), Apr 14: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has beefed up security in Poonch ahead of the five-phaseD general elections beginning from April 16.

Soon after the announcement of the election dates, the Election Commission (EC) had said there would be a massive deployment of security forces across the region during the polls.

According to the CRPF Commandant and the District Nodal Officer for election security, S. S. Sidhu, the CRPF has taken all necessary security measures to ensure fair and safe elections in the region.

Srinagar, Apr 13: National Conference on Monday suggested its President Farooq Abdullah and Srinagar Municipal Corporation Chairman Salman Sagar for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.

Talking to reporters here, Farooq Abdullah said that the final decision on who would contest the Srinagar seat rests on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Claiming that his active role in politics helps him in keeping young and fit, Abdullah said, "My life will end fighting elections."

Farooq Abdullah had contested from two assembly constituencies in last assembly elections. He had later contested the Rajya Sabha polls from the state.

Srinagar, Apr 13: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Monday said that he would raise ''very important'' issues in Parliament after the elections, including the matter of resuming the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan.

Talking to reporters here, Abdullah said: "We will raise very important issues in the Parliament after the elections. One such issue will be a discussion on Indo-Pak relations and resumption of the stalled dialogue between the two countries."