Friday, March 7, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

SC reserves verdict on Ayodhya
New Delhi, March 6
The Supreme Court today reserved its order on the Centre’s plea on vacating the stay on all religious activitty in the 67 acres of acquired land surrounding the disputed site in Ayodhya. While the Vishwa Hindu Parishad supported the contention of the government, all Muslim organisations opposed it on the ground that any judicial order from this court could affect the title suit in the Allahabad High Court.
In video (28k, 56k)

BJP for out-of-court settlement
Editorial: Excavation in Ayodhya

Mayawati tape rocks Parliament
New Delhi, March 6
The Mayawati videotape scandal reverberated in both houses of Parliament for the third consecutive day today as proceedings in the two Houses were stalled for hours by a determined Opposition demanding the dismissal of the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh.

Nation page: Move on privilege motion against Maya
SP to seek fresh no-trust motion

Virbhadra sworn in as CM
Stokes, among 15, inducted into Cabinet
Shimla, March 6
A 16-member Congress ministry headed by the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, was sworn in here today. Besides Mr Virbhadra Singh, 15 Cabinet ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy by the Governor Dr Suraj Bhan, at a crowded public ceremony held on the sprawling lawns of Raj Bhavan.
In video (28k, 56k)

The Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, congratulates Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh after the oath ceremony at Raj Bhavan in Shimla on Thursday. Also in the picture is Mrs Mohsina Kidwai, General Secretary of the AICC. — Tribune photo Karam Singh

Himachal page: Cabinet expansion after Budget session: CM
Corrupt voted out in HP: Amarinder

Zaffarwal acquitted in 6th case
Declaration of ‘Khalistan’ from Takht
Amritsar, March 6
Terrorist Wassan Zingh Zaffarwal, self-styled chief of the “Khalistan” Commando Force who was allegedly responsible for hundreds of killings during militancy, could be a free man soon as the public prosecution failed to submit evidence leading to his acquittal in the sixth case, out of a total of eight cases registered against him.

Self-styled chief of “Khalistan” Commando Force Wassan Singh Zaffarwal comes out of the District Courts, Amritsar, on Thursday. — Photo Rajiv Sharma

10 soldiers killed in avalanches
Srinagar, March 6
At least 10 soldiers were killed and seven others reported missing in avalanches in the Kargil sector today. Official sources said that at least five soldiers were killed when their bunker was buried under a avalanche at Kharboo on the Kargil-Leh national highway early this morning.

Nation page: 7 ITBP men killed