Leaders of Kashmir’s biggest political party have been sworn into office to run a largely powerless local government for the first time after India stripped the region of its special status five years ago.

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Leaders of Kashmir’s biggest political party were sworn into office Wednesday to run a largely powerless government after the first election since India stripped the disputed region of its special status five years ago.

Leaders of Kashmir’s biggest political party were sworn into office Wednesday to run a largely powerless government after the first local election since India stripped the disputed region of its special status five years ago.

A plea seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood in a time-bound manner was brought before the Supreme Court on Thursday, with the court agreeing to hear the matter urgently. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan,

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it will consider listing a plea seeking time-bound restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appeared before a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, requesting an urgent hearing of the plea