Tohra men stage walkout
‘Ardas’ held to atone for sins
AMRITSAR, March 30 — The annual budget session of the SGPC was marked by a walkout by pro-Tohra members for the second consecutive year. When pro-Tohra members stood up and began shouting slogans to protest against Bibi Jagir Kaur presiding over the session they were pushed out by pro-Badal members.

(Below) Bibi Jagir Kaur proceeds towards the SGPC office after offering ‘ardas’ at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Thursday.
— Photo by Nirmal Singh

Edicts irrevocable: Puran
Refuses to join at Muktsar
AMRITSAR, March 30 — The “sacked” Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Puran Singh today refused to join duties as granthi at Muktsar. Giani Puran Singh, who was unceremoniously removed at Jathedar of Akal Takht and suspended as granthi of the Golden Temple on Tuesday at a meeting of the SGPC executive, was transferred to Muktsar. He was also asked to join there immediately.

Villagers feel orphaned
CHATTI SINGHPORA (Anantnag), March 30 — With tragedy still writ large on their faces, the residents of this biggest Sikh village of Kashmir valley, are waiting for the national political leadership to arrive here tomorrow to “decide our future”. “It is for the first time that we are feeling orphaned,” they say, maintaining that they have always believed in peaceful co-existence.

Wheat price fixed at 900 in open market
NEW DELHI, March 30 — The Government has revised the price of wheat under the open market sale scheme at Rs 900 per quintal. The new price has been made uniform throughout the country and will be effective from April 1.

NDA threatens stir in Bihar
NEW DELHI, March 30 — The NDA will launch a state-wide agitation in Bihar if Chief Minister Rabri Devi refuse to resign in the event of being chargesheeted in the disproportionate income cases, senior Janata Dal (U) leader and Communications Minister Ram Bilas Paswan said today.