Thursday, February 10, 2000, Chandigarh, India

Java-enabled applet

India ready to take US help
Anti-terrorist efforts to be stepped up
WASHINGTON, Feb 9 — In a major step to counter terrorism, India has agreed to take US assistance in tackling the menace as the two countries have decided to intensify their cooperation to bring to justice hijackers of the Indian Airlines flight IC-814 as part of their joint efforts to combat international terrorism.

Clinton visit ‘not issue-specific’
NEW DELHI, Feb 9 — India today said US President Bill Clinton’s next month’s visit here was not linked to any specific issue but related to a much broader canvass for establishing a framework for a qualitatively new relationship between the two countries.
A room for President Clinton

4 plane crew members escape
LONDON, Feb 9 — In a daring act, four crew members of the hijacked Afghan aircraft, including its captain, escaped and a flight attendant was pushed out late last night causing some tense moments on board as the ordeal for the nearly 150 hostages continued for the fourth day today with no breakthrough in negotiations
Afghan women detained
On Editorial page: Hijackers loyal to Ismail Khan
On World Page: Hijack: bid for asylum in UK?

Badal contests BJP’s claim on SYL canal issue
PHAGWARA, Feb 9 — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today contested BJP general secretary Narendra Modi’s claim that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had offered to mediate between Haryana and Punjab to resolve the issue of water sharing through Sutlej Yamuna Link canal on the line of Cauvery.

Indian, Pak traders panic
ATTARI, Feb 9 — A sense of unease has gripped the traders in both India and Pakistan with conflicting statements over the future of the Samjhauta Express, the biweekly train which not only binds India with Pakistan but also Afghanistan.

Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress activists demonstrate in New Delhi on Wednesday, demanding the cancellation of the Samjhauta Express which is being used by the ISI to pump counterfeit currency into India. — PTI photo

Masood Azhar arrested
ISLAMABAD, Feb 9 — After speculation in the local press about the whereabouts of militant leader Maulana Masood Azhar, who was released with two others by India in exchange for hostages in the hijacked Indian Airlines plane, his arrest has been confirmed by his wife, the media said today.

Jaya granted bail
CHENNAI, Feb 9 — The Madras High Court today suspended execution of the order passed by a special judge, convicting and sentencing former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and All India Anna DMK general secretary J Jayalalitha to one year rigorous imprisonment in the Pleasant Stay Hotel case and granted bail to her.

Shobhana Samarth dead
PUNE, Feb 9 — Shobhana Samarth, veteran film actress of yesteryears and mother of film stars Nutan and Tanuja, died here today of cancer. She was 84.

NCW invites ‘Water’ makers for talks
NEW DELHI, Feb 9 — The National Commission for Women has invited filmmaker Deepa Mehta and lead actresses Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das to participate in deliberations with women organisations on the fate of the film ‘Water’.
On World page: Jaitley frowns upon stir against ‘Water’