Wednesday, March 6, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Kanchi seer’s formula on temple accepted
VHP to honour court verdict; to build wall around disputed site
New Delhi, March 5
The impasse on the thorny Ram temple issue appears to be close to a resolution, with the Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamkoti Peetham Jayendra Saraswati’s efforts to evolve a formula being acceptable to all sides coming to almost a fruition.
In video (28k, 56k)

         HIGHLIGHTS
     'Temple issue to be resolved by March 12'
       NDA meeting next week on Ayodhya (Nation page)
       GRAPHIC: Tight security around Ayodhya

Godhra inquiry to cover riots too: CM
Ahmedabad, March 5
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said that the judicial inquiry being held into the Godhra incidents would also look into the post-Godhra riots. “The inquiry will be in toto,’’ he told The Tribune here. He said that the government would soon come out with a notification about the inquiry.

         Damaged mosques to be rebuilt

In video: Life seemed to be limping back to normal after the tension of five days of communal clashes as troops and police personnel appeared to have restored some control in Ahmedabad.
(28k, 56k)

Bhattal in 19-member Council of Ministers
Chandigarh, March 5
The Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, announced the setting up of three committees, within hours of the constitution of his Council of Ministers which included 13 Cabinet Ministers and six Ministers of State, besides two Parliamentary Secretaries, here today.

        Portfolios
        Editorial: CM on probation

Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal is sworn in as a Cabinet Minister by the Punjab Governor, Lieut-Gen JFR Jacob, at Punjab Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh on Tuesday. Capt Amarinder Singh is seated at extreme left. — Tribune photo Manoj Mahajan

Seven Haryana MLAs suspended
Pandemonium in Assembly
Chandigarh, March 5
Pandemonium prevailed and unruly scenes were witnessed on the second day of the Budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today after the Speaker, Mr Satbir Singh Kadian, sprang a surprise on the Opposition by seeking the leave of the House to move a resolution for his removal immediately after the House assembled at 9-30 a.m.

Murder-bid case against VC
Patiala, March 5
In a dramatic development, a criminal case was registered against the Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia today for attempting to murder a university Reader who was injured in an attack by a group of students led by a former youth leader.

Pakistan asked to withdraw two mission staffers
New Delhi, March 5
India has asked Pakistan to withdraw within a week two of its diplomatic staff for their involvement in espionage unearthed last week, the Ministry of External Affairs announced today. Mr Aman Rashid, head of Chancery of Pakistan High Commission here, was summoned to the Foreign Office yesterday and handed a note verbale in this connection.

HP terminates pact with Oberois Shimla, March 5 In a significant move, the HP Government has decided to terminate the joint venture agreement with the Oberoi group in the Rs 100-crore-Wildflower hotel which has been constructed at Mashobra, near here, at the historic site of the residence of the British army chief, Lord Kitchner. The joint venture, palatial Hotel Wildflower of the Oberois and the HPTDC near Shimla, is in the eye of a storm again.