Thursday, September 19, 2002, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Return presidential reference, pleads EC
Favours invoking Art 356 in Gujarat
New Delhi, September 18
The Election Commission urged the Supreme Court today to return the presidential reference under Article 143 without giving its opinion on the questions raised as they were “hypothetical” to the facts of law.

2 more NC workers killed
Al-Afreen claims responsibility
Srinagar, September 18
In an upsurge of violence in the valley, the militants struck afresh today, killing two workers of the National Conference. With today’s killings, the toll of candidates and political party workers eliminated between September 1 and September 18 has reached 11. Most of those killed belonged to the NC.

Wailing relatives (wife Bashira in centre) of 60-year-old NC worker Ali Mohd Dar, who was shot dead by a militant in the busy Koker Bazaar of Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Wednesday. — Tribune photo Amin War

    J&K page: Campaigning at a low ebb

Militants told to ‘show results’
Jammu, September 18
Following poor response to the militants’ call for poll boycott in the 23 constituencies that went to the polls two days back agencies across the border have directed the rebels to “show results” by targeting candidates and important political leaders.

Tohra’s volte-face on Panthic Morcha
Guru Ki Dhab (Faridkot), September 18
The SHSAD President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, today did a volte face on his party’s separation from the Panthic Morcha, claiming that his party was a part of the Panthic Morcha which had decided to launch a movement to form a “real” Akali Dal to wrest power from the Congress in the next Assembly elections.

Finish SAD, exhorts Ramoowalia
Faridkot, September 18
The Lok Bhalai Party will give top priority to the eradication of unemployment and nepotism if voted to power in Punjab. It will also take measures to separate religion from politics, which was being misused by certain political parties, particularly Akali factions.

Capt meddling in Sikh affairs: Badal Guru Ki Dhab (Faridkot), September 18 Mr Parkash Singh Badal, President of the SAD, today alleged that the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, was trying to endanger the communal harmony in Punjab by interfering in Sikh religious matters. Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Capt Kanwaljeet Singh, Mr Tota Singh, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal and other Akali Dal leaders sit at the annual “Jor Mela” at Guru Ki Dhab in Faridkot district on Wednesday. — Photo Kulbir Beera