Thursday, March 28, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Gujarat heads for snap poll?
Narendra Modi meets Vajpayee
New Delhi, March 27
Gujarat may have a snap poll in the near future to take the beleaguered Chief Minister Narendra Modi out of the political and moral abyss he finds himself in since the Godhra carnage.
In video (28k, 56k)

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi (right) speaks to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee during a meeting at Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi on Wednesday. — AFP photo

    Report submitted to NHRC

RSS defends remarks on Muslims
Lays down 3 steps to earn Hindus’ goodwill
New Delhi, March 27
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh today strongly defended its controversial Bangalore resolution which states that Muslims’ real safety lies in the goodwill of the majority and asserted that its widely reported statement had no “underlying threat” to the minorities.

Landslide win for Congress in MCD poll
New Delhi, March 27
The Congress was today heading for a landslide victory in 134-member Municipal Corporation of Delhi, winning 97 of the 121 seats and the BJP trailing far behind. The BJP had dominated the civic body with 80 seats.

Rethink on POTO charge: Judge
Mumbai, March 27
A day after the Mumbai police moved to drop charges against suspected Al-Qaida activist Mohd. Afroz Abdul Razak under POTO, a special court today asked the police to think afresh on applicability of POTO or any other anti-terrorist law of Maharashtra against him and two others in a case of sedition.

      Editorial: POTO: handle with care

Omar may not be extradited: Pak
Washington, March 27
Pakistan has said Sheikh Omar Saeed, prime accused in the abduction of American journalist Daniel Pearl, may be convicted and executed in the country.

India to get new Mirage fighters
London, March 27
In a bid to enhance its strike and nuclear-deterrence capabilities, India plans to acquire 126 Mirage 2000-5 multi-role fighter aircraft, a leading defence weekly reported today.

SAD MLA Keetu arrested
Barnala, March 27
Mr Malkiat Singh Keetu, the SAD MLA booked by the Bhadaur police for alleged misappropriation of funds of the Truck Operators Union, Bhadaur, was arrested today.

Sidhu remanded till March 31
Search warrant issued
Kharar, March 27
Mr Roshan Lal Chouhan, Judicial Magistrate, here today remanded Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu, PPSC Chairman, in police custody till March 31.

• Approach Kharar court for bail: HC

• PPSC chief epitome of corruption

Ghulam Nabi Azad J-K Cong chief
Jammu, March 27
After about two years dissidents in the state unit of the Congress have won their battle against the PCC chief, Mohammad Shai Qureshi. The AICC President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, today decided to install Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad as new PCC President in place of Mr Qureshi.

Fine Arts Dept head held
Saru Rana case
Patiala, March 27
The police today arrested Punjabi University Fine Arts Department’s Head Dr Saroj Rani and technical assistant Jaspal Singh for alleged attempt of rape case registered against varsity’s Vice-Chancellor Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, by Fine Arts girl student Saru Rana.

Cops under trial to get due promotions CM announces sops for police personnel Phillaur , March 27 Announcing a number of welfare schemes for Punjab Police personnel, including free bus travel, monetary benefits equivalent to defence personnel, special grants for the marriage of their daughters among others the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt. Amarinder Singh, today announced here that Sikh detainees languishing in jails for the past more than a decade without any trial would be tried and their cases decided at the earliest.