Srinagar, Sept 21 : Preparations are in full swing to elect a new Legislative Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir with poll officials working round the clock to prepare voters'' identity cards in time.

Jammu, Sept 21: After being denied permission to hold a function to pay tributes to those killed during the two month long agitation in Jammu spearheaded by the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS) over forestland transfer row, the Samiti has called for a two-day shutdown here from Sunday.

Srinagar, Sept 20 : In Kashmir Valley, normal life came to a standstill for the second consecutive day on Saturday following a shutdown call given by separatists.

According to official sources, business establishments, government and semi-government offices, banks and other financial institutions as well as educational institutions remained closed while traffic remained off the roads in various districts.

New Delhi, Sept 18 : Participants at a seminar held in New Delhi on Thursday have expressed concern at voices being raised on the issue of secession of Jammu of Kashmir from India.

The delegates emphasized that the legal validity of Jammu and Kashmir''s accession to India is unquestionable and was in accordance with the popular will. They said there is no basis on which any change in political status of the state could be considered.

Badgaum (J&K), Sept 18 : Nearly 95 per cent of the work on the 199-kilometre Qazigund-Baramulla section of the railway project in Kashmir has been completed, but the ongoing protests and shutdowns have stalled any further work.

Official reports had earlier said that the railway track would be completed by August this year but the work seems to be stuck on the last leg of completion.

A red coloured eight-coach Diesel Electric Multiple Unit train stands still on the Badgam-Nowgam sector.

Officials say that the work that was supposed to be completed ahead of schedule is now pending.