Monday, December 30, 2002, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Leh council gets full powers
First step towards regional autonomy
Jammu, December 29
The PDP and Congress coalition government today empowered the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council to maintain its autonomous character. The LAHDC was set up in 1995. The Ladakhis have been agitating over denial of powers to its executive councillors and demanding the union territory status for the Ladakh region.

Visa curbs on Pak nationals
New Delhi, December 29
Alarmed by the involvement of a large number of Pakistani nationals in various terrorists and anti-national activities in India, the Central Government is contemplating to impose stringent visa regime for Pakistan nationals and undertake a drive to round up those who have overstayed in the country.

    Nation Page: Portugal extends Salem’s remand
     Anees’ release shows Pak links

Will USA strike Iraq on Feb 21?
London, December 29
The US-led war against Iraq may start on February 21, a leading British tabloid claimed today.

     World: Iraq: UN experts search sites

Gandhi responsible for Partition: Datta
Amritsar, December 29
In a sensational twist to the history of the freedom struggle, Mr V.N. Datta, a renowned historian, has held Mahatma Gandhi responsible for thwarting the Cripps mission and losing the last opportunity for preserving the unity of India.

    Historians ‘must’ expose misdeeds

Gen Vij takes over tomorrow
New Delhi, December 29
Lt-Gen Nirmal Chander Vij will take over as the Chief of Army Staff on the retirement of Gen S Padmanabhan on Tuesday.