Tuesday, February 8, 2000, Chandigarh, India

Java-enabled applet

Demonstrators under the banner of Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Manch demonstrate in New Delhi, Monday, against Pakistans and ISI's continued support to militant outfits in India. - Photo by Sondeep Shankar	Musharraf offers to meet Vajpayee NEW DELHI, Feb 7 — Pakistan’s military ruler General Pervez Musharraf has made a direct offer to meet Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee but maintained that the two sides could break the “logjam” and reduce tension only by addressing the Kashmir issue.
	Remarks rubbish, says India
Pak diplomat caught with hooker

Stacks of timber unloaded from wagons detained at Rajpura railway siding by Punjab Forest Department officials. — Tribune photo by Karam Singh.

Mafia timber worth crores seized RAJPURA (Patiala), Feb 7 — Ninetythree wagons allegedly containing illegal timber have been detained by the Forest Department authorities

Vilayat Khan refuses award
CALCUTTA, Feb 7— Sitar maestro Ustad Vilayat Khan today announced his refusal to accept the Padma Vibhushan in protest against the ‘’politics, lobbying and favouritism’’ in selecting awardees in Indian music circles."

2-week ban on Water shooting
VARANASI, Feb 7 — The controversy over Deepa Mehta’s film “Water” took a new turn today when the UP Government today clamped a two-week ban on its shooting citing “deteriorating” law and order in the city and advised the film unit to leave Varanasi, capping nearly two weeks of wrangling and violent protests spearheaded by the Sangh Parivar against the venture.

Taliban no to negotiations STANSTED, Feb 7 — Hijackers of an Afghan airliner released more passengers at a British airport today and the police said negotiations were at a critical stage

The hijacked Afghani airways plane on the tarmac at London's Stansted Airport on Monday.The hijackers have not been identified. AP/PTI

976 candidates left in fray
CHANDIGARH, Feb 7 — As many as 976 candidates will try their luck in the 90 constituencies of the Haryana Assembly in the ensuing elections after 218 candidates withdrew their nominations after the expiry of the last date for withdrawals.

• Vajpayee to address rally at Panipat

New VIP security policy
NEW DELHI, Feb 7 — The Centre today announced a new VIP security policy aimed at curtailing the same on the basis of threat perception and also to make it “less obtrusive with diluting efficacy’’.