Monday, March 10, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Cong victorious in civic poll
Violence mars voting in Punjab
Chandigarh, March 9
Continuing its victory march after Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, the Congress today emerged victorious in a majority of civic bodies in Punjab which went to the polls in two phases.

Chandigarh page
Violence, cane charge mark civic poll

Police personnel resort to lathi charge during the Municipal Council elections in Majitha on Sunday. — Photo Mandip Singh

UK MP resigns on Iraq issue
10 threaten to quit Blair government
London, March 9
In the first fallout of differences in the Blair ministry over the impending US-led attack on Iraq a close aide of the Environment Minister resigned today and others have threatened to follow suit if the UK goes to war without UN backing.

World page
USA, France step up diplomacy ahead of vote
UK, USA plan assault on Baghdad airport
Lakhs pray against war on Iraq
Iraq destroys more missiles

ASI team in Ayodhya
Excavation work begins today
Ayodhya, March 9
A 12-member team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arrived here today to excavate the disputed Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site following a high court order, amidst tight security arrangements.

Digboi fire under control
Guwahati, March 9
The fire in one of the petrol storage tanks of IOC’s Assam Oil Division, caused by explosions triggered by the ULFA at Digboi in Tinsukia district yesterday, was brought under control this evening.

Editorial: The refinery attack

Eight more to join Amarinder Cabinet today
Chandigarh, March 9
Capt Amarinder Singh is likely to induct two Cabinet-rank ministers and three Ministers of State into his Council of Ministers tomorrow. Besides, three will join as Parliamentary Secretaries, it is learnt.

Recruitment record seized
Search operation at SSSB office on
Hamirpur, March 9
A team of the Enforcement Department which raided and sealed the office of the HP State Subordinate Selection Board at Daroohi village in Hamirpur town yesterday continued the search operation for the second day today. Mr Jagjit Kumar Gupta, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Enforcement, headed the team.

PMO: Vajpayee didn’t bless Mayawati
New Delhi, March 9
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati had not sought the blessings of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee during her hour-long meeting with him here yesterday, Prime Minister’s Office said today.

Seshadri out of RSS executive

India keen to make amends Johannesburg, March 9 After the wake-up call they got against Kenya, India will be keen to make amends in their second World Cup Super Six game against Sri Lanka tomorrow and grab a win which will assure them of a semifinal berth. Sports page: India have Tendulkar, so they can do it Sachin Tendulkar laughs during a practice session in Johannesburg on Sunday.—  Reuters photo