Panel holds meeting with Jammu & Kashmir observers

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Tuesday held its first meeting with three special observers to assess the election readiness in Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora had announced on March 10 that the scheduling of assembly elections in J&K would be based on the assessment of the special central observers — Noor Mohammad, IAS (1977, retd); Vinod Zutshi, IAS (1982, retd); and AS Gill, IPS (1972, retd). While Lok Sabha elections would be held in J&K, the assembly polls were not announced amid a shortfall of the paramilitary forces.