HSGMC attempts gurdwara takeover
* Begins dharna outside SGPC-run Kurukshetra shrine
* Admn fails to defuse situation
Kurukshetra, August 2
If the mood of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) members is any indication, it would seem Kurukshetra is emerging a new battleground over who controls state gurdwaras now. Scores of rival HSGMC members on Saturday gathered outside the gurdwara in an attempt to wrest control of the shrine, where sources said, over 1,000 SAD and SGPC supporters are staying.

HSGMC supporters try to break police barricading as they march towards the Gurdwara Chhati Patshahi to take control of the management in Kurukshetra on Saturday. Tribune photo: Ravi Kumar

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�Won�t let HSGMC take over shrines�
Sukhbir asks Centre to prevent Haryana panel from �vitiating atmosphere�
Amritsar, August 2
On a day when the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) tried to take control of a gurdwara in Haryana, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal asked the Union Government to initiate measures to prevent the HSGMC from �vitiating the atmosphere as its leaders were issuing threatening statements�.

Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal pays obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Saturday. Tribune photo: Vishal Kumar

Kaithal villages tense as rivals step up campaign
SAD-SGPC teams camp in Haryana villages; HSGMC supporters keep a watch
Kaithal, August 2
A law and order problem appears imminent in many Haryana districts as warring Sikh groups have intensified their campaign against each other over formation of a separate gurdwara panel.

Modi hopes to start new chapter in ties with Nepal
New Delhi, August 2
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hoped his visit to Nepal will open a new chapter in bilateral relations, characterised by frequent political engagement and closer cooperation across the spectrum, and serve as a model and catalyst for South Asian partnership for prosperity.

Brar blasts Cong coterie for poll drubbing
Chandigarh, August 2
Senior Congress leader and former member of the Congress Working Committee Jagmeet Singh Brar on Saturday justified his attack on close advisers of party bosses and blamed them for a drubbing in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

INLD promises free scooty for girls, loan waiver & more houses
Chandigarh, August 2
In a bid to score over other political parties in poll-bound Haryana, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) today unveiled its please-all election manifesto. Promising something for everyone, the INLD poll document offers a loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh to farmers, a free scooty to all college-going girls from the rural belt, a housing scheme for the poor and landless and hike in old-age pension to Rs 1,200 among many other things.

INLD leader Abhay Chautala (R) releases party manifesto.

Guv seeks Hooda govt�s reply on controversial appointments Chandigarh, August 2 Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki has sought the state government�s reply on recent controversial appointments. Alleging favouritism, the BJP had submitted a memorandum to the Governor demanding cancellation of appointments of two information commissioners and three commissioners of right to service commission.