Friday, March 15, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

SC clarifies Ayodhya order
New Delhi, March 14
The Supreme Court today clarified that the status quo barring any kind of religious activity ordered by it at the acquired land in Ayodhya also covered the whole of the land vested with the Central Government. The clarification was made in a ruling by a three-Judge Bench while modifying yesterday’s order which had disallowed any religious activity of any nature on the acquired land of 67.703 acres.

Curfew-like situation in Ayodhya Paramilitary personnel stage a flag march in Ayodhya on Thursday. — PTI photo

Paramhans threatens to end life
Adamant on donating shila at makeshift temple
Ayodhya, March 14
In an apparent attempt to put pressure on the Vajpayee government, Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas president Mahant Ramchander Das Paramhans today threatened to end his life if he is prevented from donating a shila (carved pillar) at Ram Lalla’s makeshift temple tomorrow.
In video (28k, 56k)

• VHP on warpath, threatens stir

PM allays fears on law and order
New Delhi, March 14
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today allayed apprehensions about any untoward incidents in Ayodhya on Friday and affirmed that everything was under control.

Assures House on SC order
New Delhi, March 14
Bowing to pressure from the Opposition, the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, today clarified in Parliament the government’s position on the Ayodhya issue, saying the apex court’s ruling would be implemented in “letter and spirit”.
In video (28k, 56k)

Allies uneasy despite assurance
New Delhi, March 14
Even as some “secular” allies of the NDA government are becoming highly suspicious of the BJP’s real intent on the Ram mandir issue, they are keeping their fingers crossed that the provocative programme of the VHP and the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas at Ayodhya tomorrow would not lead to a backlash.

Government draws flak in House on puja
New Delhi, March 14
The government today came in for severe criticism from the Congress for pleading before the Supreme Court to grant permission for a “symbolic puja” in Ayodhya, observing that the move had only aggravated tension in the country.

• Reddy stands by remark on PM

Govt feels crisis will blow over
New Delhi, March 14
After hectic consultations at the Prime Minister’s residence late this evening the Vajpayee government was confident that the Ayodhya crisis would blow over peacefully and Ram Janambhoomi Nyas President Ramchandradas Paramhans would be persuaded not to carry out his threat to end life.

23 youths die at Army recruitment rally
Lucknow, March 14
Atleast 23 youths were killed and three others injured when the septic tank on which they were standing during an Army recruitment rally in the cantonment area here collapsed today, the police said.
In video (56k)

• Editorial: What a way to die!

Three killed, 28 hurt in train blast Amarinder rules out sabotage Doraha (Ludhiana), March 14 Three persons, including a woman, were killed and 28 others injured, 10 of them seriously, when an explosion took place in a coach of the Dhanbad Express last midnight. The mishap occurred just near the railway bridge over the Sidhwan main feeder canal, about 200 m ahead of the Doraha railway station. A person injured in the blast on the Dhanbad Express is taken to hospital at Doraha, near Ludhiana, on Wednesday night. — PTI photo Ludhiana page: Heart-rending scenes at DMCH