AFSPA not arbitrary, says Army chief
Rise in infiltration bids in past two months
Chennai, September 18
The Army today expressed hope that the government will take a “correct” decision on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) which it maintained was an “enabling provision” that is not “arbitrary”. In the midst of a raging debate on the application of the AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir, Army chief General VK Singh said there were “different” opinions on the issue.

As Valley kids suffer, separatists’ wards thrive in safe havens
Srinagar, September 18
While the separatists want the children of the common man to come out on the roads to protest and leave their studies for a ‘bigger cause’, their own children and family members are getting the best education in other parts of the country and even abroad. The Tribune has a list of some of the senior separatist leaders whose children and relatives are studying in other parts of the country or abroad.

The Tribune Ladakh Relief Fund: An Appeal To Readers

List of outsiders in Congress ahead of Bihar poll grows
Rahul set to visit the state for the second time in September-end
New Delhi, September 18
RJD strongman Akhilesh Singh today resigned from the primary membership of his party in Patna and went public with his intentions of joining the Congress, right on the footsteps of former RJD leader and union minister Nagmani.

Salute to womanpower

Divya Ajith Kumar celebrates with her friends after receiving the coveted ‘Sword of Honour’ at the Passing Out Parade of the Officers' Training Academy in Chennai on Saturday. Kumar became the first woman cadet to bag the distinction in the history of the Army. — PTI

River interlinking to help ease water crisis: Bansal
Chandigarh, September 18
Three states recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the issue of interlinking of rivers, said Union Minister for Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Pawan Kumar Bansal while addressing a seminar on “Water conservation and management” organised by the PHD Chamber here today.

Ayodhya case will go to SC: Advani
New Delhi, September 18
With less than a week left for the judgment on the Ayodhya title suit dispute, political leaders including BJP’s LK Advani and religious bodies today renewed calls for calm and restraint underscoring that further legal options will be open and that the case will go to the Supreme Court.