India considers elections in IHK

Senior Indian election officials Wednesday held talks in held Kashmir on the prospects for polls in the region which has recently witnessed the largest protests against Indian rule for years. A three-member team led by Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalswami were briefed by state officials on the current law and order situation, a government statement said.
Indian held Kashmir was put under federal rule in July following the collapse of the state government over a land row that triggered a revival of anti-India fervour in the insurgency-wracked region. Elections are due before January 10 and Gopalswami's commission must decide whether to go ahead with a ballot or postpone until 2009.
The recent protests have forced pro-India parties to suspend their activities in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley. Over the past three months they have not organised any public gathering.