Tuesday, March 19, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

PM vows fair poll in J&K
Asks militants to participate

New Delhi, March 18 Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today sent out strong signals to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for bringing them back into the mainstream of the country by promising not only “fair” Assembly elections in the state but also asking militant

Factfile Vajpayee to visit J&K Govt will have to take unpopular decisions Singhal may be taken into protective custody In video (28k, 56k)

groups to participate in it to “prove their popularity”.

          Grenade attack on BSF HQ
       In video (28k, 56k)

Allies seek ban on Bajrang Dal, VHP
New Delhi, March 18
A surprise attack from the unexpected quarters today caught the Vajpayee government napping in the Lok Sabha when partners of the ruling National Democratic Alliance demanded a ban on the Bajrang Dal and the VHP for their role in the dastardly attack on the Orissa Assembly building.

Govt flays Orissa House attack
New Delhi, March 18
The government today strongly condemned the attack on Orissa Assembly by persons allegedly belonging to the VHP and the Bajrang Dal and declared that the Centre was ready to extend all help to the state government to punish those responsible for it.

2nd autopsy on Natasha’s body
New Delhi, March 18
In a new twist, family members of Natasha Singh today demanded a second autopsy on her body. Natasha Singh, the estranged daughter-in-law of former Union Minister Natwar Singh, was found dead in a luxury hotel under mysterious circumstances yesterday.

NCR: Police try to unravel Natasha knot Mother of Natasha Singh comes out of Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi on Sunday. — PTI photo

Rocca cuts short visit; leaves  for Pakistan
New Delhi, March 18
In the wake of a grenade attack on a church in Islamabad yesterday in which two Americans were among five killed, US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca cancelled her engagements with Indian leaders and left for Pakistan.

• Attack to bring Pervez, USA closer?
• World page: Church attack linked to Pearl killers

Sekhon issue gets murkier
New Delhi, March 18
Mud is flying thick and high in the Indian Air Force over Air Marshal Manjit Singh Sekhon’s issue with reports now emerging of strong political interference in almost all the senior promotions. The issue of Air Marshal Sekhon seeking political help to further his professional career in the IAF seems to have virtually created a vertical divide in the force.

Harbhajan  injured  in scuffle;  fit to play
Guwahati, March 18
Ace off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today sustained “minor injuries” on his left arm following a scuffle with policemen outside the team hotel but would play tomorrow’s one-day match against Zimbabwe. Indian team manager Sunil Khanna told PTI here that Harbhajan Singh’s injuries were minor.

• Sports page: Tight security irks team