Thursday, May 22, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

70 pc polling in Fatehabad
Bhajan Lal detained, CJM intervenes

Fatehabad, May 21 Over 70 per cent voters of the Fatehabad Assembly constituency exercised their right to vote today despite a severe heat wave and apprehension of violence. The polling was by and large peaceful except a few minor incidents.

Women cast their votes at a polling booth in the Fatehabad Assembly constituency on Wednesday.

Haryana page: Eyebrows raised over elevation

Sikh shot at in hate crime case
Phoenix, May 21
In a hate crime case, an Indian Sikh immigrant was shot and injured seriously by a group of white men, the police said. Avtar Chiera (52), a truck driver, was apparently targeted by the white men because of his Sikh religious faith, Phoenix police detective, Tony Morales said yesterday.

• ‘Chiera migrated to USA in 1987’

Stir hits bank, other services
PM to hold meeting with trade unions
New Delhi, May 21
The day-long nation-wide strike call given by the Left-led trade unions against the Centre’s economic policies today left banking and insurance services totally paralysed while evoking a mixed response in some other areas like oil, fertiliser, port and other central sector operations.

Strike paralyses bank services
Editorial: Strike against themselves

Patna Takht panel chief declared ‘tankhaiya’
Amritsar, May 21
The five Sikh high priests of Takht Patna Sahib today declared Mr Mohinder Singh Romana, president of the Takht Patna Sahib Management Committee as ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) for allegedly denigrating the prestige of the Takht and its Jathedar.

Akali unity: clergy to meet soon

Kidnapped Bihar doc freed
Police suspects Samata MLA’s hand
Patna, May 21
In a pre-dawn operation, the police today freed eminent neuro-surgeon Ramesh Chandra from the clutches of his captors allegedly patronised by Samata Party MLA Sunil Pandey following which the Indian Medical Association (IMA) called off its statewide indefinite strike and the NDA its Patna bandh.
In video (28k, 56k)

Where milk & water cost Rs 14 a litre Villagers forced to drink ‘unfit’ water in Mansa, Bathinda Bathinda, May 21 It may sound absurd, but it is true. The residents of Punjab — the land of five rivers — are going thirsty. The gravity of the situation can be judged from the fact that the retail prices of milk and potable water are same — Rs 14 a litre.