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August 07
THE RAJAKUMAR ABDUCTION
Krishna upbeat about Rajakumar's release
But as a precautionary measure, schools and colleges will remain closed for two more days in the five districts of Mysore region of the state.
CMs give Veerappan a positive response
Veerappan's foremost demand appeared to be the release of 'innocent' persons in Karnataka jails. The state government said the TADA charges would be dropped immediately, leading to their release.
'Statesman' Veerappan surprises Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
The bandit has asked nothing for himself, but has presented a list of demands that would have made a populist politician proud.
THE KASHMIR PEACE TALKS
Security alert against hijack attempts
A top Union home ministry official confirmed apprehensions that some militant group opposed to the peace talks could try to sabotage the process.
Hizb accuses army of ceasefire violations
But the militant organisation said talks with the government to decide the modalities of the ceasefire would continue.
OTHER REPORTS
INS Mysore to take part in exercises with French Navy
The French are believed to be extremely satisfied with the exercises in February off Bombay and the heightened co-operation between the two defence forces.
Investigators blame bird hit for MiG-21 crash
Defence ministry sources said the remains of a bird were found stuck in the intake. The ingestion could well have caused a flame-out soon as the aircraft got airborne.
MiG-21 crash separates IAF pilot couple: PTI
Flight Lieutenant Supriya Gurjar Shukla, who had maintained a stoic composure all through, broke down as she bid adieu to her 27-year-old husband and father of their six-month-old son Advait.
NHRC issues notices to Bihar officials on Senari attack
Taking a strong view of the reported brutal assault on women and children by police, the commission also sent its own investigating team to the village for an inquiry.
PTI REPORT
Indian man beaten up in German town
Five assailants aged between 17 and 21 thrashed the 31-year-old Indian, whose name has been withheld, in a train in Leipzig and hurled abuses at him. 'Get out of here. You are taking away our jobs,' they said.
August 06
THE RAJAKUMAR ABDUCTION
Veerappan demands Rs 500 million, amnesty
The Karnataka government has been driven to the wall by Veerappan's `impossible' demands.
Parvathamma replies to cassette over radio
I feel as if you are right here now, talking to me, says actor Dr Rajakumar's wife in a short and emotional broadcast.
Gopal yet to meet Veerappan: Karunanidhi
Emissary R R Gopal, deputed by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments to negotiate the release of Kannada film star Rajakumar and three others in sandalwood smuggler Veerappan's captivity, was yet to establish contact with the brigand.
CMs will decide on fresh demands
Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna said he would leave for the TN capital tomorrow to hold
discussions with his counterpart in Tamil Nadu M Karunanidhi in the light of the new development.
Veerappan sends fresh demands on tape
Forest brigand Veerappan, who has been holding Kannada film star Rajakumar and three others hostage for the past one week, has sent one more audio cassette through emissary R R Gopal to the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments spelling out his demands.
Karnataka prays for Rajakumar's release
Various organisations are busy organising services for the safe release of the Kannada film icon.
THE KASHMIR SITUATION
Hurriyat does a U-turn on peace talks
Now Hurriyat chairman Abdul Ghani Bhat says the ceasefire announcement is a 'lame step which cannot take [the Hizb] to its destination.'
Day curfew is lifted in Jammu
An official spokesman said though day curfew has been lifted in all the six district headquarters, a strict vigil was being kept on the situation.
Encounter between Hizb and army: Troops defeated by 24 runs!
The Indian Army and the Hizbul Mujahideen, foes of yesterday, battled it out again in Kashmir valley, but in an encounter of different kind. On a cricket field.
Hizb wants to give peace a chance: Salah-ud-din
'We have taken our own decision and have not announced the ceasefire under any pressure,' the Hizbul Mujahideen chief said.
Pak will have to be consulted: Rasgotra
The former Indian foreign secretary assured Pakistanis that their offers for talks were always taken seriously in India.
EU criticises Kashmir attacks
India has won yet another strategic point in the international diplomatic battle against Pakistan with France, holding presidency of the European Union, criticising the recent violence.
OTHER REPORTS
Sorabjee may step down as AG
The government may shift him to the International Court of Justice, The Hague, as India's representative.
Arun Shourie roughed up in Bombay
The journalist-turned-minister was manhandled at a public function, apparently for his uncharitable portrayal of Dr B R Ambedkar in a book he wrote about three years ago.
Govt ignores CVC probe and chooses Jain as A-I chief
R C A Jain, a retired Indian Administrative Service officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, faces charges of misappropriation.
MiG-21 crashes in Delhi, pilot killed
The aircraft crashed during take off and fell in pieces by the 3-wing runway, which is specially reserved for VVIPs.
Curfew imposed in another village in Gujarat
Curfew was imposed as arson and stabbing incidents continued Friday night, forcing the State Reserve Police personnel to open fire, while curfew in some other parts of the state was relaxed in phases for varying periods Saturday.
Congress charges Trinamul with engineering defections
Enraged Congress activists attacked the home of corporator Minda Kumari, who had switched loyalty to the Trinamul Congress on Saturday.
Jockeying begins for Jharkhand CM's post
The main contenders are Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Shibu Soren, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Babulal Marandi and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party Janata Party MP Karia Munda.
NSCN(I-M), Centre talks deadlocked
The insurgent group feels that the Indian government has done nothing to secure the release of it's secretary general Thuingaleng Muivah, who is in a Thai jail.
For Vidya Prabhudesai's family, the horror won't go away
We were told that we will have to be present in court later. That too will be a traumatic experience but we want to see that justice is done, says the sister of the woman set ablaze on a busy Bombay street.
PTI REPORTS
PM calls for unified strategy on internal security
Vajpayee said that with Pakistan adopting cross-border terrorism as an instrument of state policy, challenges to internal security should no longer be seen as state-specific problems.
Fijian coup leader Speight remanded to custody
Fijian coup leader George Speight and 12 of his henchmen have been remanded in custody after appearing in a Suva court on charges stemming from the May 19 seizure of parliament.
COLUMN
Ram's (double) standards
How the former law minister speaks from both corners of his mouth.
Capital Buzz. Gossip from the Delhi Durbar.
August 05
THE SITUATION IN KASHMIR
'Our struggle is for freedom. We want freedom. And our struggle will continue'
'We have struggled for 13 years, janaab. And 70,000 people have died. Thousands of homes have been ruined. The Kashmiri people have made a lot of sacrifices. So there is no question of talks within the framework of the Constitution.' Hizbul Mujahideen spokesman Salim Hashmi tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf.
Lashkar-e-Tayiba: The massacre specialists
The mercenary outfit has engineered 12 massacres, killing 248 Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir during last four years.
Bandh evokes mixed response across the country
Reports of demonstrations and general shutdowns came in from different parts of the country to protest against the spate of killings in Kashmir, but there were no major untoward incidents
Congress demands judicial inquiry into massacre
Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi said the inquiry should fix responsibility for any security lapses that had led to the killings.
We won't give in to terrorism, says PM
But Vajpayee told the Lok Sabha that the government is determined to continue the talks with the Hizbul Mujahideen to find a peaceful solution to the Kashmir problem.
Human rights panel sends notice on Amarnath yatra massacre
Taking suo motu action in the gruesome killings of Amarnath pilgrims by Kashmiri terrorists, the National Human Rights Commission Friday issued notices to the ministries of home and defence as well as the Jammu and Kashmir government to reply
within four weeks on the issue.
Farooq is biggest hurdle for peace in Kashmir, says Mufti
While condemning the massacre of innocent persons, Sayeed refused to dub them militant killings. `It could be the handiwork of some vested interests which do not want that guns should fall silent in the valley,' he said.
Amarnath yatra resumes with tighter security
But the curfew clamped in Jammu division after the massacre continued for the third day running.
US will aid J&K talks: envoy
Richard Celeste said the US would extend all assistance to India to find a solution to the Kashmir problem.
US slowly becoming part of J&K issue
Despite India's vehement denials and insistence that only bilateral (read India-Pakistan) talks will be held on the Kashmir issue, foreign affairs analysts and official sources admit that Washington is slowly but surely getting more involved than six months ago.
THE RAJAKUMAR ABDUCTION
I am happy, I am well, I am comfortable: Rajakumar
The gist, in English, of what Kannada film icon Dr Rajakumar, being held
hostage by sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, said in a cassette sent to
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Friday morning.
Rajakumar sends tape, calls for peace
Forest brigand Veerappan has sent an audio-cassette, with the voice of kidnapped Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajakumar on it. The star promises he is safe and sound, and wants peace maintained.
We have an open mind on Veerappan's demands, says Krishna
'I believe in the philosophy of Jayaprakash Narayan, who had advocated that everybody should be given a chance to reform in life,' the Karnataka chief minister said.
OTHER REPORTS
Boy beaten to death in UP
Nagar panchayat chairman Shabbir Ahmad allegedly beat to death the 13-year-old boy for plucking a flower from his garden.
Army could be smooth and well-oiled under new chief
Lieutenant General Sundararajan Padmanabhan's appointment as army chief is expected to reduce differences within the force.
Pak not allowed to raise Kashmir issue at UNCHR
The Pakistani representative was told not to violate the rules of the forum by raising the issue of human rights of another country.
German tourist's body brought to Srinagar
Official sources quoting intelligence reports said Harfurth was killed after he pushed a militant from a mountain peak on the Zanskar-Kishtwar track. The militant survived, but his associates killed the tourist.
Assam cut off by floods
The rain-fed Brahmaputra and its major tributaries submerged several districts, official reports said Friday. The army was leading rescue and relief work in Rangiya and Tinsukia districts where swollen rivers had flooded several villages.
BJD in a spot over Centre's rejection of merger's demand
Sources in the BJD said Patnaik has called an emergency party meeting to take stock of the situation.
Indian Navy to guard Orissa's Chilka lake
A special task force comprising of Indian Navy personnel along with the forest and fisheries departments will start patrolling the lake to check encroachments.
Political turmoil over Lankan constitution bill
The opposition United National Party, whose support is crucial for the passage of the bill, has decided to withdraw from the debate.
Dead nun's family suspects foul-play
With the police in Kerala failing to make any breakthrough in their investigation into the death of Sr Paulcy, the nun's family members and an all-party action council are gearing up for a legal battle to demand a high level inquiry into the case.
New states may provoke Bodo anger in Assam
The creation of new states -- Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand -- may spell trouble in Assam as the All Bodo Students Union and the Bodo People's Action Committee, spearheading a movement for a separate Bodoland state, are likely to renew its agitation vigorously in the coming months.
PTI REPORTS
Kalyan to appear before Liberhan panel
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister's undertaking came a week after the panel ordered issuance of bailable warrants against him.
Non-bailable arrest warrants against Bukhari
A court in Gorakhpur has ordered initiation of proceedings for attachment of property against the Shahi Imam of Delhi Jama Masjid for securing his attendance in a defamation case.
Notices to Outlook on suit by Mukesh Gupta
The Delhi high court Friday issued the notices on a defamation suit filed by the New Delhi-based industrialist, alleging that the magazine wrongly linked him to the match-fixing controversy.
Ansals file Rs 65.5 million suit against Delhi power board for Uphaar fire tragedy
The petition came up at the Delhi High Court five months after the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy sought compensation totalling Rs 1.22 billion for the relatives of victims.
Two accused allowed to join serial blast trial
Designated TADA judge P D Kode directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to frame
charges against Hamid Abbasmiya Dafedar and Mohammed Kasim Lajpuria alias Mechanic Chacha, who allegedly took part in the conspiracy to trigger off serial blasts in Bombay in early 1993.
UNAMSIL needs more peacekeepers: Jetley
The Security Council is expected to adopt shortly a British sponsored resolution that would make the mandate more robust to deal with the emerging situation.
Bombay HC to hear Thackeray case on Aug 8
Senior government counsel P R Vakil mentioned the matter this afternoon for urgent circulation before Justice Vishnu Sahai who decided to hear the arguments of the state and the respondents on August 8.
Jaya's minister Sengottaiyan gets 4 years' RI
Former AIADMK minister K A Sengottaiyan was today found guilty in Rs 26 million
spare parts purchase scam and was convicted to 4 years RI and a fine of Rs 1.05 lakh by a special judge in Madras.
Hasan Sharief granted British visit visa
But the younger son of the deposed and jailed Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharief said he did not wish to apply for asylum.
DIARY
Mom's day out
'Cooking, though I could clank the utensils as well as the next man, was something that bored me immensely. But one's stomach can produce scarier growls than South African lions.' Sukanya Verma's adventures.
INTERVIEW
'We hope this Iraqi regime listens to the voice of reason'
Kuwait Ambassador to India Abdullah A Almurad, in an exclusive interview to mark 10 years since Iraq invaded his country.
August 04
THE KASHMIR CARNAGE
Pakistan denies hand in massacres
The foreign office in Islamabad said the allegations were intended to malign Pakistan.
3 killed as VHP enforces bandh in Gujarat
Pravin Togadia, VHP general secretary, said that on Friday, August 4, a 'Bharat bandh' would be observed to protest against the massacre of pilgrims going to the Amarnath cave shrine in Kashmir.
Amnesty International condemns massacre
The human rights organisation has urged the J&K government to take measures to prevent further abuses against civilians and to ensure that the recent killings are investigated by judicial inquiries.
Alert sounded in Uttar Pradesh
V K Mittal, the principal secretary (home), said all district officials have been asked to take every measure to maintain peace.
LS mourns loss of lives in militant attacks
The Lok Sabha on Thursday mourned the loss of lives of innocent people in the latest terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and placed on record its ''deep sense of grief'' on the tragedy.
Details of PM's visit were worked out onboard aircraft
Even as a shell-shocked nation came to terms with the massacre of over 100 persons in Kashmir, Atal Bihari Vajpayee rushed to Srinagar and Pahalgam, along with an all-party delegation.
List of those killed, injured in Pahalgam
KASHMIR TALKS
Vajpayee invites other militants to join talks
Ruling out tripartite talks, the prime minister on Thursday renewed his offer for talks with all militant groups in Kashmir to restore peace.
Hizbul, govt differ on Pak participation
The Hizbul Mujaheedin and Government of India agreed to work out modalities of the cease-fire announced by the militant outfit last month, after the first round of talks for peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
Salah-ud-Din wanted Dar to postpone offer
An ''inside'' story published by Urdu Daily Ausaf says Hizbul Mujahideen operational commander Abdul Mujid Dar's ceasefire announcement had been an open secret for the past about five months.
DIARY
Does peace have a chance?
'If the rebels demand someone from outside government, then senior journalist R K Mishra could be appointed as the PM's special envoy on Kashmir affairs.'
NEW STATES, NEWER DEMANDS
Badal talks tough, may review ties with BJP
He said he never accepted the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar in the new state of Uttaranchal and alleged that George Fernandes had misled Parliament.
Demand for Vindhya Pradesh resurfaces
Congress MP Sunderlal Tiwari told the Lok Sabha that since the Madhya Pradesh Assembly had already adopted a resolution to this effect, there was no reason to delay constitution of the Vindhya State.
SPECIAL
Chhattisgarh has a long way to go
It is one of the richest areas as far as natural resources go. It has everything you wanted: Forest wealth. Gold. Coal. Bauxite. Corundum. Dolomite. Carnet. Limestone. Iron. Tin. Alexandrite. Chinaclay. Quartz Silica. Quartzite. Fluorite. And finally, diamonds. Roving Editor Ramesh Menon's fascinating guide to India's newest state.
Dr RAJAKUMAR'S ABDUCTION
Tamil TV channels go off the air in Karnataka
For Tamils who were glued to their television sets on Monday, when news of Dr Rajakumar having been kidnapped first broke, it was a rude shock.
Editor Gopal meets Veerappan
He began negotiations with the fugitive, who is holding Kannada film icon Dr Rajakumar hostage since Sunday.
STF officer had warned of kidnap risk
His report said if Veerappan did kidnap a VIP, he would probably keep him in the northern part of the Nilgiri division of the Satyamangalam forest.
Uncertainty continues to prevail in Karnataka
Karnataka Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said that the state government has an open mind on Veerappan's demands.
'If Veerappan kills Dr Rajakumar, I'll also die'
Kannada actor Vodda Nagaraj on the night the matinee idol was abducted.
OTHER REPORTS
Missing German tourist's body found in J&K
The police recovered the body of Harfurth Rolf from Nunkun range in Zanskar, Kargil district, a senior police officer confirmed.
Teenager burnt alive in Uttar Pradesh
An 18-year-old backward-class woman was subjected to humiliation and torture before being burnt alive by a gang of armed men in Azamgarh district of eastern Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.
Pakistan refuses to extradite hijackers
Pakistan is obliged by international conventions and bilateral agreements to extradite them to India, Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Kumar Panja told the Rajya Sabha.
Orissa wants Sareikala and Kharasuan back
Although some consider it to be a dead issue, the Oriyas have always been touchy about the two places and the demand for their re-merger with state might just turnout to be a highly emotive issue.
ISKCON employee commits suicide in jail
Sureswar Das was found dead in Calcutta's Presidency Jail on Wednesday night.
Lanka's SC orders referendum on constitutional reform
Sri Lanka's Supreme Court today ordered the government to hold a national referendum if it
wanted to press ahead with a controversial move to turn the country into a de facto federal state.
Ceasefire: Government rejects NSCN demand
The NSCN (I-M), it is learnt, tried to talk tough by insisting that the ceasefire be extended to 'greater Nagaland' comprising parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur.
Matchfixing: Operation Eyewash in offing?
'The only person who might suffer is Kapil Dev who has no political master to defend him,' a top income tax official told rediff.com
PTI REPORTS
Five more arrested in IA hijacking case
The accused were charged with abetting the hijackers of Indian Airlines IC 814 in December last year by providing passports on the basis of forged documents.
Govt challenges magistrate's order discharging Thackeray
The state has retained P R Vakil to argue the matter. The appeal is likely to come up before Justice Vishnu Sahai soon, high court sources said.
Mesco chairman, nephew granted bail
A Delhi court Thursday granted bail to J K Singh and Deepak Singh, arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on charges of cheating people and financial institutions of several millions.
Mamata says CPI-M will kill her
The Union railways minister plans to retire from politics in 15 years, but fears being killed before that.
Stone missing from Jagannath statue forehead
Though the Puri temple administration has launched a search, no FIR had been lodged with the police, sources said.
Deendar Anjuman may be banned: Advani
Union Home Minister L K Advani said the activities of the group were part of larger ISI conspiracy to continue with its proxy war against India.
COLUMNS
Privatisation, yes; globalisation, no
'Is it really necessary to entrust J R D Tata's creation -- Air-India -- to foreigners?' asks T V R Shenoy.
A slum-dweller's saga
'Frustrated by poverty, Joachim Arputham ran away from home when he was 16. He boarded a train to Mumbai and landed in the midst of one of the city's most ghastly slums. Last week, the 53-year-old won the world's most prestigious award -- the Magsaysay.' Pritish Nandy relives a saga of enormous courage and commitment.
August 03
CARNAGE IN KASHMIR
81 killed in overnight spurt in violence
The carnage began late on Tuesday evening when terrorists attacked a camp at Pahalgam of pilgrims headed for the Amarnath shrine. Thirty persons were killed in that incident.
Alert in J&K as yatra resumes: PTI
A special alert has been sounded and security has been increased after militants gunned down 100 people in the state since Tuesday night.
Desperate Pakistan spreading rumours
One of these is that the Hizbul Mujahideen's supreme commander Syed Salahuddin had sold himself out for 11 million dollars, that he had shifted his family to a secret location in Romania to escape the wrath of the other pro-Pakistan militant outfits.
More attacks likely, say intelligence agencies
Security forces are on the back foot due to the cease-fire declared by Hizbul, as an all out operation against terrorists is not possible under these conditions.
The terrorists are terrorised, claims Advani
The Union home minister said the government would continue its efforts to restore peace in Kashmir by talking to the Hizbul Mujahideen.
Farooq blames Pakistan for massacre
The J&K chief minister, however, expressed confidence that savage acts of senseless elements would not deter the people from pursuing the path of dialogue to restore peace.
Clinton to speak to Pak on massacres: PTI
The United States president Wednesday night told Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that he would speak to leaders of Pakistan and ''do everything possible to contain such activities.''
NEWS
Himachal floods leave 125 dead
While the tribal belt of Kinnaur continues to remain cut off from rest of the state, as all the telecommunication links have been washed away, Rampur is slowly limping back to normalcy.
VEERAPPAN STRIKES AGAIN
Gopal contacts Veerappan
If everything proceeds as expected, Gopal is expected to return to Madras with Veerappan's demands and meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi Wednesday night.
Negotiations with Veerappan may be protracted affair
After his meeting with Veerappan, Gopal is expected to return to Chennai to convey the poacher's demands to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Dr Rajakumar's release will depend on how quickly and favourably the Karunanidhi government reacts to Veerappan's demands and conditions.
Veerappan tape speaks of real threat
Dreaded poacher Veerappan has threatened to do away with his four kidnap victims, including Kannada super-star Rajakumar, if the two state governments did not meet his demands.
Family reaches out to Dr Rajakumar on radio
As Veerappan is known to listen to radio broadcasts frequently on a small transistor he carries, All India Radio has begun airing a nine-minute message from Dr Rajakumar's wife, sons and brother to his captor.
Nakkeeran editor enters Sathyamangalam
He is accompanied by three of his associates -- Subbu, Shiva Subramaniam and Bala Subramaniam. All three work for Nakkeeran magazine.
Can ailing Dr Rajakumar take to the jungle?
His knee has been giving trouble for quite some time now, and that may make it difficult for him to walk long distances.
Heavy rain raises anxiety
Veerappan's day-time schedule is unpredictable. His earlier hostages say that they used to walk even during the nights. Hence, the doubts about Dr Rajakumar.
Huge losses do not bother Karnataka filmdom
With shootings coming to a standstill, many directors have been left with hired equipment on their hands, travel bookings and other huge investments. But this does not bother them.
Schools, colleges to be closed for the week
Though public transport, offices, business establishments, banks and essential services resumed operations, the situation in some parts of the city remained tense, but under control.
The entire coverage
SPECIALS
'Slaves have no Eid...'
The concluding part of the series on the Hizbul Mujahideen, the largest militant outfit in Jammu and Kashmir.
'He tried to transform his love into a passion for revolution'
Fuzail Jafari pays tribute to Urdu poet Sardar Ali Jafri.
'I knew Padmanabhan would make it'
'He is a hard worker, full of humility. He doesn't talk too much and is a good listener. He is also very methodical. I can't find any negative aspects in his personality,' says his senior.
Bangaru Laxman: A mild-mannered leader
Even when he was state BJP chief or Dalit Morcha president, Bangaru Laxman scrupulously avoided controversies. He was quite accommodative of other leaders and groups. He has also been a votary of bigger role for the weaker sections.
INTERVIEW
'The West cannot dictate terms to us'
Iraqi Ambassador Salah Al-Mukhtar in an exclusive interview 10 years after Iraq invaded Kuwait and went to war with the United States and its allies.
OTHER REPORTS
Crash victims kin yet to be paid compensation
Meanwhile, the condition of all the five survivors is improving. The have been operated upon and most have been shifted from the intensive care unit, a doctor said.
India, Nepal find common ground
Senior officials in the ministry of external affairs pointed out that top-level visits between the two sides had not taken place so far because of the political uncertainty in both countries.
Doon Valley bursts into joyous scenes
Rich tributes were paid in Dehra Dun to those who laid down their lives in the struggle for a separate hill state when the Uttaranchal Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha Tuesday night.
PTI REPORTS
Lok Sabha passes Jharkhand bill
The Lower House Wednesday night performed a hat-trick by setting off the process for creation of three new states by passing a bill for the formation of Jharkhand.
Mahato murder accused surrenders after 14 years
While one of the accused was arrested a month after the murder, the third accused is still at large.
Sedition cases registered against Bukharis
The Delhi government has registered cases against Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Abdullah Bukhari and his son Ahmed Bukhari, for alleged anti-national speeches.
COLUMNS
Rule by wimps
The urge to go down in history, obviously, is so strong that prime ministers are sometimes blind to the fact of their nation going down the drain,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
Autonomy, Pakistan style
'It is now the appropriate time for us to ensure that both the issue of greater devolution of powers to the states and any grievances in the minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are imaginatively addressed. Given the way that people in POK and the Northern Areas have been treated, Pakistan has little justification to parade itself as a champion of Kashmiri causes,' says G Parthasarathy.
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts!
'It is indeed most effective for Pakistan to continue to send its terrorists into India and keep J&K on the boil, while appearing to be sincere about talks. Killing two birds with one stone for it makes them look reasonable, and also takes the spotlight away from their cross-border terrorism,' says Rajeev Srinivasan.
August 02
18 massacred in Anantnag
Gunmen killed labourers of a small brick-making community in Qazigund, near the town of Anantnag in south Kashmir.
ATTACKS ON AMARNATH PILGRIMS
27 killed as ultras strike in Pahalgam
The authorities imposed curfew and increased security following the attack.
Militants attack yatra office
This is the first time the extremists have struck in the heart of Jammu. In the subsequent gun battle, one militant was killed.
VEERAPPAN STRIKES AGAIN
Editor Gopal sets off to meet Veerappan
Gopal is trying to secure the release of Kannada film icon Dr Rajakumar, who was kidnapped on Sunday night.
Gopal may get Veerappan's message soon
The Nakkeeran editor is likely to meet Karunanidhi later in the day before proceeding to the forest with three colleagues.
Emissary needs 2 days to meet Veerappan
In all probability, Dr Rajakumar will have to spend at least two more days in the thick jungle with Veerappan and his gang for company.
Rajnikanth offers to meet Veerappan
Kannada film hero Ambareesh said he was ready to accompany Rajnikanth. Vishnuvardhan, another top Kannada star, have also expressed their willingness to join the delegation.
Peace returns to Bangalore, tension persists
The tension in the city was palpable with some fans of the actor issuing an ultimatum, saying they would keep quiet only until Tuesday.
Karnataka govt trying to restore normalcy
As a pre-cautionary measure, the state government has ordered closure of schools and colleges for one more day (Wednesday) though public transport will be resumed.
Talavadi: A bone of contention
There have been repeated attempts by Kannada activists to include this region in Karnataka and several agitations in the past.
A glimpse into Veerappan's psyche
Veerappan abducted wildlife photographers Krupakara and Senani in October, 1997. The duo spent 14 days with the outlaw and published a book, Fourteen Days in the Forest in Kannada about their experiences with him.
Veerappan may seek amnesty: Official
Veerappan had in the past kidnapped government officials and a pair of wildlife photographers, hoping to bargain for amnesty in exchange for their safe return.
Karnataka suspends operations against bandit
Chief Minister S M Krishna also stated that Karnataka has appointed a senior IPS officer in Madras to act as liaise with Tamil Nadu.
Rajakumar's ties with Madras go back a long way
As the Kannada superstar spends time with a dreaded brigand, Dr Rajakumar's family reminisces on good times, changing times, and yes, future times.
KASHMIR PEACE TALKS
Hizbul nominee approached by officials
He, however, said, "I told the officials that since I had not yet got a brief from the Hizbul, I could not discuss anything with them."
Pakistan pressurising Hizbul to scuttle talks
Its emissaries are making hectic efforts in Pakistan and in India to ensure that the Hizbul falls in line with Islamabad's agenda, to scuttle the peace talks.
Talks may not yield concrete results
When Hurriyat representatives sit with the Indian government to negotiate on the Kashmir dispute, it will be Islamabad calling the shots.
SPECIALS
'We have no enmity towards people of India'
In 1994, when there was talk about the restoration of peace in Kashmir, Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salaludin declared that his outfit would not allow the sacrifice of thousands of Kashmiris to go in vain.
The second part of a series on the Hizbul Mujahideen, the largest militant outfit in Jammu and Kashmir.
What led to Jethmalani's resignation?
'Technically, if the government goes by the Official Secrets Act, they can prosecute Jethmalani. But then the question will arise that whether the literal understanding of the Official Secrets Act is consistent with the Supreme Court's judgments where they have held that the right to information is a Fundamental Right,' says Prashant Bhushan.
INTERVIEW
'There is a need to review and readjust in view of rapid international changes...'
Nepal Ambassador Bhekh B Thapa in an exclusive interview.
OTHER REPORTS
Urdu poet Ali Sardar Jafri passes away
The Jnanpith award-winning poet passed away on Tuesday morning in Bombay Hospital. He was 86.
A giant among poets
Friends and associates pay tributes to one of the country's greatest Urdu poets, Ali Sardar Jafri.
Lt Gen Sundararajan Padmanabhan to be next army chief
The general officer commanding-in-chief, Southern Command, and former 15 Corps commander will succeed General Ved Prakash Malik who retires on September 30.
Jethmalani is at his usual best in House
His laudatory references to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday gladdened the Bharatiya Janata Party's heart even though the former Union law minister refuted charges against him.
Rat killing stepped up in Bombay
More than 10,710 rat holes have been treated in the last three days; 4,529 rat traps have been set and 2,297 rats have been killed by rat catchers following fears of a leptospirosis epidemic.
Indian team hopes to meet Musharraf
The visit by a team of former diplomats to Pakistan has aroused much interest as it comes when the Hizbul Mujahideen has declared a cease-fire.
9 die in stampede at Garhwal shrine
Police said overcrowding triggered the stampede at 0200 hrs on Tuesday. While seven women died on the spot, two succumbed to injuries at a Rishikesh hospital.
Patney takes over as IAF vice-chief
On Tuesday morning, Air Marshal Patney paid homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti and was presented a ceremonial Guard of Honour on his arrival at Air Headquarters.
Britain refuses to deport two Sikh terrorists
A British tribunal has ruled that two Sikhs, suspected of organising arms and explosives shipments, should not be deported because of fears they would be tortured if they returned to India.
Britain's pilot bond scheme postponed
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Keith Vaz said in the House of Commons that the decision was taken jointly with the home office as 'there was far from unanimous support for it'.
No chopper for school teacher
The retired principal is going to see that he gets his ride. "My motto in life is to complete whatever task I undertake. I will show that a primary school teacher can also travel in a helicopter," he said.
PETA steps up campaign against meat trade
The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals is bringing to India, in a slow but steady manner, its international campaign to declare Indian beef as haram (forbidden) for Muslims.
PTI REPORTS
14 killed in smash-up on Agra-Bombay highway
Thirtyone persons were also seriously injured when their tractor
trolley collided with a truck on Monday.
56 feared killed in Shimla floods
Property worth millions of rupees has been destroyed in Kinnaur and Shimla following flash floods in the River Sutlej Monday night.
LS passes Uttaranchal bill
The Lok Sabha Tuesday night took a step forward towards the creation of Uttaranchal, which will become the 27th state.
Putin thanks Vajpayee for Russian pilots' release
The Russian president also discussed his forthcoming visit to New Delhi and reiterated Russia's commitment to strengthen and expand bilateral co-operation and interaction with India.
PM asks Pak to check cross-border terrorism
Declaring that India would never succumb to terrorism, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has asked Pakistan to create a conducive atmosphere for resumption of peace efforts.
Delhi raises concern over ISI in Nepal
India and Nepal, on Tuesday, agreed to give a new impetus to bilateral ties.
Bill Gates to visit India
The Microsoft chief's second visit in less than two years has been planned to coincide with the company's 10 years of existence in India.
Bangaru Laxman to be the next BJP president
Party spokesman Venkaiah Naidu said Laxman would be filing his nomination Wednesday at the party headquarters in New Delhi.
Tamil Nadu revenue minister passes way
Tamil Nadu Revenue Minister Nanjil K Manoharan died of cardiac arrest in Madras on Tuesday morning.
US deletes 2 Indian entities from sanctions list
The Clinton administration has removed two Indian entities -- the Nuclear Science Centre and the Uranium Recovery Plant -- from its sanctions list.
Notice served on Chandrashekhar's Bhondsi ashram
Haryana high court is hearing a PIL filed by B L Wadhera alleging that the land under ashram's control has not been put to the use it was originally sought to be.
Chadha denied permission to go abroad
Dismissing Chadha's petition, Justice R S Sodhi of the Delhi high court said necessary facilities to treat Chadha are available in India.
COLUMN
Our financial federalism is an elaborate mosaic
'Yes, the framers of our Constitution had indeed done their homework on federalism in practice. Today, over 50 years later, it is our State politicians who refuse to do theirs,' says Arvind Lavakare.
August 01
VEERAPPAN STRIKES AGAIN
Veerappan kidnaps Dr Rajakumar
The incident occurred at 2115 hours on Sunday at Gajanur village on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border.
I will not harm Dr Rajakumar: Veerappan
When Veerappan asked the matinee idol to come outside, the actor quietly walked out of his home and asked his bodyguards not to intervene.
Karnataka braces for long haul with Veerappan
The state government is counting on Nakkeekaran editor R Gopal's visit to Veerappan's hideout, as an emissary, for a breakthrough.
Kannada film industry downs shutters in grief
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president K C N Chandrashekhar said, 'We have shut down film production, distribution and exhibition until Dr Rajakumar is released.'
Tamils get jittery, Sonia calls on Krishna
In the worst-ever riots in Bangalore nearly a decade ago, Tamils were targeted by mobs protesting against the Cauvery Tribunal Award, which favoured Tamil Nadu.
TN to send emissary to meet Veerappan
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has promised his Karnataka counterpart, S M Krishna, that he will spare no efforts to secure the release of Kannada actor Rajakumar, who was kidnapped by Veerappan on Sunday.
Kidnapping exposes Karnataka police
Chief Minister S M Krishna will be under pressure to revamp the special task force, which has been searching in vain for Veerappan for over a decade.
One killed in mob violence in Bangalore
Mobs protest against kidnapping of Kannada's leading film star Rajakumar by the Veerappan gang from his Gajanur residence in Erode district of Tamil Nadu Sunday night.
Mahajan promises all help from Centre
In the Upper House, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said the Union Home Ministry was in constant touch with the Karnataka government.
Mobs attack four Tamil dailies' offices
The police said the offices of Dinamani, Dinathanti, Kalaikadir and Dinasudar were attacked by mobs.
Dr Rajakumar turned down security
His son, Raghavendra Rajakumar, said the police had last year visited their house and offered to provide security cover whenever his family passed through Mysore.
'It is sad he has gone back to his old ways'
'This is like Betal going back to the branch of the tree again...What he has done is so cruel that I do not know how to react.' Nakkeeran editor R Gopal, in an exclusive interview.
The Veerappan farce turns into tragedy
'While the people of two states hope for a happy ending to this tug of war between hero and villain, it is clear events will follow a familiar of action. A fresh manhunt will be launched, and after a few days, media and police interest will evaporate. And things will return to normal,' says Krishna Prasad.
Karnataka to approach demands with open mind
Chief Minister S M Krishna said his talks with his Tamil Nadu counterpart M Karunanidhi were fruitful and an emissary would be sent.
Tamil editor to mediate with Veerappan
Tamil bi-weekly Nakkeeran's editor R R Gopal will leave Monday night, to meet forest brigand Veerappan, to secure the release of Kannada actor Rajakumar.
When the news spread...
The city turned into a ghost town by noon with main roads and other arteries deserted.
KASHMIR PEACE TALKS
Separatist leader to represent Hizbul
Hizbul Mujahideen will be represented by veteran separatist leader Fazil-ul Haq Qureshi in talks with the Union government to work out modalities of the ceasefire.
Attack in response to peace talks: Lashkar
Lashkar-e-Toiba militants have been directed to intensify attacks on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah sceptical about return of peace
J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said that there are certain elements that have converted militancy into their livelihood.
They will try to sabotage the proposed talks.
Stop military action: Hizbul negotiator
In a faxed message from Canada, Mushtaq Ahmed Gilani said a peaceful and negotiated settlement is the only possible solution to the Kashmir conflict.
India determined to keep Pakistan out of talks
Special Secretary (Home) Tilak Raj Kakkar indicated that the government, while handing out maximum concessions in the proposed talks, was determined to keep them within the parameters of the Constitution.
JETHMALANI'S DISCLOSURES
Jethmalani not allowed to speak in RS
The opposition blamed the Union government for refusing to allow former Union law minister to speak.
Jethmalani postpones foreign trip: PTI
Sacked law minister hopes to speak in Rajya Sabha Tuesday.
OTHER REPORTS
Chinese PoWs languishing in Indian asylum
Taken prisoners during the 1962 Indo-China war, Yung Chialung (59) and M A Siblong (62) are housed in Asia's oldest
mental asylum, the Central Institute of Psychiatry, at Ranchi. Neither country is interested in their fate.
Britain drops controversial visa bond scheme
The scheme would have forced some overseas visitors from countries like India to make cash guarantees before travelling to the United Kingdom.
Order on medium of instruction in TN schools upheld
The SCt Monday refused to stay a Madras high court judgment quashing a Tamil Nadu government order making Tamil as the medium of instruction for all classes up to standard five.
PML asks Sharief to continue as its leader
Significantly, the group which had opposed Nawaz Sharif's continuance as party chief after his arrest last October, did not insist on his removal.
Vultures struck by killer disease in Rajasthan
Four Bombay Natural History Society teams that recently surveyed areas throughout the country found that only a few thousand vultures remain.
Youth Congress bandh paralyses Calcutta
Though neither the West Bengal Congress Committee nor the Trinamul Congress had supported the bandh, a Youth Congress press release claimed that it was a complete success.
7 dacoits lynched in West Bengal
Though senior police officials failed to confirm the death toll, Inspector General of Police Prasun Mukherjee told rediff.com that there was some violence in South 24-Parganas.
PTI REPORTS
Leptospirosis now strikes in Gujarat
In Bombay, 28 persons have died due to leptospirosis in the metropolis and adjoining Thane district. In Gujarat, the toll is six.
Train blast claims 12 in Assam
Militants of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland exploded a powerful bomb on a passenger train in lower Assam Monday.
New phone tariff by August 31: TRAI
The revised tariff was to have been announced by Monday, but it is being put off because of delay in receipt of data for undertaking a review, the TRAI said in a statement in New Delhi.
Bangaru Laxman front-runner as BJP chief
The minister of state for railways, a Dalit from Andhra Pradesh, Monday night emerged as the front-runner for the Bharatiya Janata Party presidentship.
Centre, NSCN (IM) agree to extend cease-fire
The Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isac-Muivah) Monday agreed to extend by a year the cease-fire in Nagaland from August 1 and move forward with the peace process to bring a lasting political solution to the Naga issue.
Koirala arrives on week-long visit
The Nepalese prime minister arrived in New Delhi Monday for talks with Indian leaders mainly focussed on forging a long-term strategic partnership with India.
Chhattisgarh bill passed in LS
The new state, which is to be carved out of Madhya Pradesh, would comprise 16 districts with a population of 17.6 million, mostly tribals.
Suspended IT official served notice
The Union finance ministry has served a notice on Vishwa Bandhu Gupta for alleged misconduct in making irresponsible statements on match-fixing and other issues.
9 pilgrims killed in landslide in Rishikesh
The pilgrims were walking through a street to reach Neil Kanth Mahadeo temple in Rishikesh last night when the land slide occurred.
Kargil hero is IAF vice-chief
Air Marshal Vinod Patney was Monday appointed Vice Chief of Air Staff at the Air Headquarters in New Delhi, in a major reshuffle of top commanders.
Chaudhry calls for international intervention
The international community could play a useful role through mediation and try for a government of national unity, the deposed prime minister said.
Shiv Sena corporator held for murder
Police said the corporator, Surekha Patil, along with nine others had allegedly hatched a conspiracy to murder Madhukar Patil, as they disapproved of his love affair with a girl.
30 Bangladeshi immigrants held in London
The immigrants were arrested after a 100km highway chase. They were hiding in the back of a lorry.
COLUMN
The Hindu Eunuch
'This is not some philosophical debate about which religion is supreme in its "truth"! There is a *temporal* war taking place, one between a resourceful, united force seeking to gain new territories, and an ancient, scattered force trying to hold on to its own,' says Varsha Bhosle.
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