Friday, December 13, 2002, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Heavy voter turnout in Gujarat
‘Silent wave’ may swing either way
Ahmedabad, December 12
Barring a few minor incidents of violence in the remote areas and complaints of names missing from the voters list in the urban areas, polling for 181 out of 182-member Gujarat assembly in which the fate of over 980 candidates will be decided ended on a peaceful note this evening.
In video (28k, 56k)

BJP set to retain power: exit poll 59 pc turnout in LS, Assembly by-elections A paramilitary trooper stands guard near a crowd of voters in Ahmedabad during the Assembly elections in Gujarat on Thursday. — Reuters photo

See J&K in different light: Mufti
New Delhi, December 12
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has called for institutionalising a mutually beneficial relationship between the Centre and the state in a “truly federal spirit” and has urged the Union Government not to treat Jammu and Kashmir in the same way as other states, considering the unusual circumstances prevailing there.

Job terms eased for militancy victims
Srinagar, December 12
For the 185 persons of Budgam district whose relatives fell to militants’ bullets years ago, the wait for getting a government job ended on Tuesday when the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, announced that the relaxation in their age or qualification would be ordered soon.

Jaya raps Krishna
Chennai, December 12
The joint mission of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to capture forest brigand Veerappan faces a fresh snag with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa taking umbrage at speculation in Karnataka that it was the Special Task Force from her state that had caused the death of H. Nagappa.