The Maoist attack in Chhattishgarh and the violent protests in Kashmir may have hit the CRPF morale hard but it can expect some empathy coming it's way from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who has had to face both political posers on his return from the G 20 summit at Canada.

Singh, who was apprised of the Kashmir situation by the home ministry upon his arrival on Tuesday night, will be holding a high-level meeting at 5 pm on Wednesday evening on the issue. He also has reportedly received a fax from J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah. But, according to sources, the clincher for the PM's intervention was a letter from N N Vohra, the J&K governor - an old friend of Singh.

Cancelling Thursday's Cabinet meeting, Singh decided to hold the meeting with his senior ministers at his 7, Race Course Road residence.

Violent protests broke out in Sopore in Kashmir over the alleged killing of a youth at the hands of CRPF personnel. The situation escalated into a full-on clash when a 9-year old boy was killed during the protests.

The state government has imposed curfew in most districts of South kashmir to rein-in further violence.

No room for Jagan in union cabinet?

Jagan Reddy is unlikely to find a berth in the union cabinet if and when it is expanded, sources say.

The Andhra MP and late Y S Rajasekara Reddy's son rubbed AICC the wong way by going forward with his Odarpu Yatra last month despite being told by the Congress leadership not to do so.

Congress seniors are also reportedly agitated over his murmurs against the party's New Delhi leadership.

Special cell for Amarnath security

A special cell has been set up at North Block to co-ordinate and monitor the security and related issues likely to arise during the recently-commenced Amarnath Yatra.

Separatist leaders of Jammu and Kashmir had called for shortening the Yatra period saying that the Yatra strained the ecology of the place.

Wife, aide fight as George Fernandes battles illness

An ailing George Fernandes was relegated to a chattel-like status on Wednesday morning with long-time aide Jaya Jaitley and estranged wife Leila Kabir waging a very-public tussle for Fernandes' legacy, both material and political.

Jaitley, alongwith Fernandes' brothers, was at his 3, Krishna Menon Marg house on Wednesday morning, alleging that they were not being allowed entry into the house under Kabir's instructions. She said that they had been turned away by security guards when they came to collect furniture, books and paintings which they claim belongs to them.

The 80-year-old former defence minister is suffering from Alzheimer's and his condition is said to be deteriorating. His Rajya Sabha membership ends on July 7 and Kabir is making arrangements for shifting out of his government-alloted Krishna Menon Marg residence.