Wednesday, January 19, 2000, Chandigarh, India

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Union Energy Minister P.R. Kumarmangalam addresses a press conference amid power workers’ six-day-old indefinite strike, opposing trifurcation of the UPSEB, in Lucknow on Tuesday. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ram Prakash Gupta and state Energy Minister Naresh Agarwal are also seen in the picture. — PTI

Kumarmangalam snubs powermen
LUCKNOW, Jan 18 — Union Energy Minister P.R. Kumarmangalam today refused to meet agitating Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board employees and promised the state government cooperation and assistance in its effort to restructure UPSEB.
PSEB sounds alert
CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — While on the call given by the Northern India Power Engineers Federation the Punjab State Electricity Board engineers have started work to rule, the board authorities have sounded an alert in the state to meet any exigency.
Haryana power staff put on alert
CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The electricity authorities of Haryana have asked its staff to be on alert to prevent any shortfall in the supply of power to the state resulting from the ongoing powermen's strike in Uttar Pradesh.

Pak expels Indian staffer
ISLAMABAD, Jan 18 — Pakistan today expelled Indian High Commission staffer P. Moses, who was kidnapped and assaulted by Pakistani intelligence operatives last Sunday, and gave him a week’s time to leave the country.

Plan on J&K set in motion
NEW DELHI, Jan 18 — The Centre today set in motion its action plan to effectively tackle the problem of cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as part of its “pro-active” approach which will not allow militants to escape irrespective of consequences.

The spot on the Srinagar-Baramula highway where two BSF personnel were killed and three injured in a landmine explosion on Tuesday morning. — Photo Amin War

2 BSF jawans killed in blast
SRINAGAR, Jan 18 — Two Border Security Force personnel were killed and four wounded when militants set off a powerful blast near a petrol pump in Baramulla district of North Kashmir today, official sources said.

China asks India, Pak to hold talks
BEIJING, Jan 18 — China today appealed to India and Pakistan to end their nuclear arms race, sink differences and become good neighbours to help maintain peace in South Asia.

BJP ‘nod’ for 35 seats
CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The Central Election Committee of the BJP, which met in Delhi today, has reportedly “approved” the stand of the Haryana unit of the party to contest 35 assembly seats in alliance with the ruling INLD of Mr Om Prakash Chautala in the State.

Murder ruled out in Anju case
NEW DELHI, Jan 18 — The Delhi police today ruled out the murder angle in the death of Anju, wife of television producer, Suhaib Illyasi of crime serial “India’s Most Wanted” fame, with the final autopsy report concluding that the two wounds found on her body were self-inflicted and suicidal in nature.