Tuesday, April 2, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Punjab, Haryana CMs clash over water
We are not seeking alms, says Chautala
New Delhi, April 1
Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab sparred with each other on the issue of water sharing between the two states at a meeting here today of the National Water Resources Council in which they stuck to their stated positions.
In video (28k, 56k)

PM blames diesel, power subsidies for low water table Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh with Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala at the fifth meeting of the National Water Resources Council at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday. — Tribune photo Mukesh Aggarwal

Intelligence failure in Gujarat: NHRC
New Delhi, April 1
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said a “serious intelligence failure” and inaction by the Gujarat Government marked the events leading to the Godhra tragedy and subsequent deaths and destruction.

• 2 more die in Gujarat violence

• NCM summons Gujarat Chief Secy
  Nation page
  

Farooq for strike on Pak
Jammu, April 1
The Legislative Assembly today witnessed uproarious scenes when BJP members staged a walkout in protest against Speaker Abdul Ahad Vakil’s ruling disallowing an adjournment motion moved by them and by the Congress members.

• Nation page: VHP demands Farooq’s ouster

• J&K page: Farooq unhappy with Centre over J-K policy

Shiv Sena leader ‘thrashes’ Lone
Jammu, April 1
Senior Hurriyat Conference leader Abdul Gani Lone was today allegedly manhandled by the President of the state unit of the Shiv Sena, Mr Kalgi Ji Maharaj, in a hotel where Mr Lone had finished his press conference.
In video (28k, 56k)

• JKLF vice-chief Mir held

Petro prices decontrolled
Naik asks FM to avert price hike
New Delhi, April 1
The government today dismantled the three decade-old oil price controls on petrol and diesel amidst firming up of global crude oil prices, which prompted Petroleum Minister Ram Naik to petition Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha for excise duty cuts to avert any immediate price increase of petro products.

Israel tightens grip over W. Bank
Jerusalem, April 1
Shortly after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared a war on Palestinian “terrorist infrastructure”, Israeli forces backed by tanks tightened their grip over West Bank today and moved into the city of Bethlehem even as masked Palestinians shot dead at least seven compatriots accused of collaborating with Israelis.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is seen during a speech to the Israeli nation in Jerusalem on Sunday. — Reuters photo

• Editorial: Humiliating Arafat won't do

Jaswant for Sino-Indian military cooperation
Shanghai, April 1
External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh today stressed that India and China would have to develop military cooperation, putting the past behind them. He also ruled out the possibility of any cooperation with Pakistan in combating terrorism.

Govt resorting to ‘half-truths’
Kanwaljit apprehends heavy dose of taxes
Chandigarh, April 1
Demolishing brick by brick the “negative picture painted by the Congress government about the economic growth of the state” during the five years of SAD-BJP rule in Punjab, the former Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, said today the government was resorting to half-truths to pave the way for administering a heavy dose of taxes.

• Punjab’s economic growth from 1996-97 to 2000-01