ULFA guns down 8 in Assam
Nalbari, (Lower Assam) May 4
Amidst loud claims of the erosion of the mass base of the banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) by both the Centre and the state government and a war-like security arrangement, the militant outfit has unleashed a series of strikes targetted at the Asom Gana Parishad and its alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Local residents and relatives prepare the remains of eight ruling Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) party workers for last rites in Bogrihati, near Guwahati, on Friday.  —  AFP photo

Illegal publishers of birs to be punished
Amritsar, May 4
The Executive Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has decided to take legal action against publishers who print the holy Guru Granth Sahib without prior permission of Akal Takht and the SGPC. The executive endorsed the directive of Akal Takht that the SGPC has the sole right to publish the holy book as per gurmaryada.

India, Russia oppose abrogation of ABM treaty
New Delhi, May 4
Indicating the convergence of views on international security issues, including on the US proposal of National Missile Defence, India and Russia today expressed opposition to any attempt to unilaterally change or amend the 1972 Anti-Ballastic Missile Treaty saying that it can only be done through mutually agreed discussions.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee (L) greets Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov at his residence in New Delhi on Friday.  — AFP photo