Calls for struggle in PoK
SRINAGAR, Dec 29 — Kashmiri separatist leader Hashim Qureshi has appealed to the people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to launch a formidable struggle for its liberation from the occupational forces.

• J&K police team to fetch Qureshi
  (J&K page)
  

• Initiative on J&K positive step: Benazir
  (World Page)
  

Minister, brother’s houses on dera land
PATIALA, Dec 29 — The construction of a palatial Punjabi fort-type house by Punjab Minister of State for Public Works Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur on land, allegedly belonging to the Dera Samadh Karheri on the outskirts of the city, is in the eye of a storm with the district administration forwarding a case to the government, citing various encroachments, including his, which have come up on the dera land .

EC can suspend poll officers
NEW DELHI, Dec 29 — Ahead of the crucial Assembly poll in four states and a union territory, the Election Commission (EC) has been armed with the powers to suspend or substitute any public servant, including police officers, for insubordination or dereliction of duty while on election duty.

Himachal minister resigns
Anonymous letter alleges corruption
SHIMLA, Dec 29 — In an unprecedented move, Mr Praveen Sharma, Excise and Taxation Minister, resigned from office taking cognisance of an anonymous letter in which certain allegation swere levelled against him.

Dhumal orders probe into charges
SHIMLA, Dec 29 — The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, has said the complaints of alleged corruption and misuse of office against his two ministers would be inquired into.

Curfew in Ranchi as tension rises
RANCHI, Dec 29 — The Jharkhand administration clamped curfew on the town today following stone pelting by a mob and teargas shelling by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) as tension mounted during the Ranchi bandh called by a few minority organisations.

HCS aspirants gherao invigilator CHANDIGARH, Dec 29 — The conduct of the Haryana Civil Services examinations is becoming murkier by the day. Within a few days of an incident involving use of unfair means in the examinations, the city was today again rocked by a similar incident. An invigilator was accused of helping a candidate appearing in the Haryana Civil Services examinations.