Thursday, February 9, 2006, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Gujarat to reopen 1594 riot cases
Ahmedabad, February 8
The police will reopen 1,594 cases and take action against 41 police officials for their alleged role in the 2002 post-Godhra communal riots in Gujarat. This was stated in the action-taken report of the inquiry committee headed by the Gujarat DGP, Mr A.K. Bhargava, constituted by the Supreme Court to re-examine about 2,000 cases.

17 girl students raped; 7 school staff suspended
Jind, February 8
In what could be termed as one of the most heinous acts in recent times, 17 schoolgirls of Class VIII and IX were raped by their teachers for eight months in Durjanpur, near here. The incident came to light when one of the girls studying in Class IX got pregnant and told her parents of the rape.

US offers India bigger global role in N-research
New Delhi, February 8
The US today put India in an elite and small club of nations by offering membership of President George W Bush’s ambitious scheme called Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP).

Punjab promises tax-free Budget
Chandigarh, February 8
With the elections to the state Assembly less than a year away, the incumbent Congress government will present its last Budget on March 3, which it has promised will be “tax free”. For the ruling party it will be the last major opportunity to redress grievances of various sections of society in an endeavour to win their confidence for a second term in office.

Record freefall formation in midair

Skydivers from 31 countries attempt a world record for a freefall formation in midair to form a 400-person snowflake in Udon Thani province of Thailand on Wednesday to celebrate the 60th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. — AP/PTI

India: The Tasks Ahead
   SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS,
INAUGURAL SESSION

	PUNJAB: SAD rally spurs govt into action on VAT refunds
	HARYANA: Rural job scheme for 3 more dists soon
	HIMACHAL: CM rubbishes BJP’s claims on panchayat elections
	J&K: Curfew in Leh
	CHANDIGARH: 1 dead as gurdwara dome collapses
	LUDHIANA: BKU flays govt decision to import wheat
	DELHI: High-level panel to deal with demolition issue
	Opinions: Raj Babbar’s outbursts
	BUSINESS: Manmohan to discuss petro pricing with FM, Deora
	NATION: Trust funds: CEC to hear Chawla
	WORLD: Protest against Prophet’s cartoons
	SPORTS: India’s appeal unsporting: Haq

Girl refuses to marry dowry-seeker
Baratis sent packing after boy demanded Honda City
Assandh (Karnal), February 8
In a courageous step, Navneet Kaur, a girl of a dera in Assandh of Karnal district, has refused to marry Hardaman Singh Bhinder, a boy of Nilokheri, as he had demanded Honda City car from her family in dowry. Navneet (24), who did her M.Phil from Punjabi University, Patiala, took this bold step today when she came to know that her would-be husband was a dowry-hungry man.

Daya Nayak’s bail plea rejected
Mumbai, February 8
Suspended police officer Daya Nayak and his associate Rajendra Padte suffered a major setback today when the Bombay High Court rejected their plea for anticipatory bail. However, Nayak, who is accused of holding assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, has been given seven days’ time to surrender before the authorities.

SAD plans religious procession to Pak
Chandigarh, February 8
After the much-hyped procession carrying the golden palki to Nankana Sahib, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee also plan to take the “religious route” to Pakistan. 

Kumaraswamy wins trust vote
Bangalore, February 8
Newly appointed Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy today won legitimacy for himself and his alliance government by winning the trust vote on the floor of the House through voice vote after a grueling 10-hour session.

Acting Chief Justice of Pak visits Darbar Sahib Wagah, February 8 Justice Rana Bhagwandas, who became the first Hindu to assume the top post of acting Chief Justice of Pakistan, though for a brief period, was honoured with "Siropa" (robe of honour) during his maiden visit to Harmander Sahib, here today.