Monday, May 26, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

BJP moots job quota for upper caste poor

Jaipur, May 25 In a bid to take the wind out of Congress’ sail ahead of the Assembly elections in four states and the Lok Sabha elections next year, the BJP today proposed the setting up of a national commission within a week to provide for job reservation for economically weaker sections among the upper castes.

BJP chief Venkaiah Naidu, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan at a meeting of BJP central office-bearers in Jaipur on Sunday. — PTI photo In video (28k, 56k)

PM leaves for 3-nation tour tomorrow
New Delhi, May 25
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee embarks on a crucial three-nation tour of Germany, Russia and France on May 27 during which he will be meeting top world leaders and discuss economic and terrorism-related issues with them.

6 killed in Kashmir violence
Srinagar, May 25
Four civilians were among six persons killed in militancy-related violence in Jammu and Kashmir since last night, a police spokesman said here today. Militants intruded into the house of one Mohammad Sultan Lone at Jul-Sheeri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district last night and started firing indiscriminately, the spokesman said.

Editorial: Time up for militants?
J&K page: APHC conflict comes to fore

Cop kills son, wife, himself
Mumbai, May 25
An Assistant Inspector of Police today shot dead his wife and seriously injured his son and later committed suicide by shooting himself in his flat at Chembur here, the police said.

Namdeo in police remand till May 31
Mumbai, May 25
CISF constable Raj Namdeo, charged with killing his senior and detaining six of his colleagues during a seven hour hostage drama last night at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, was today remanded in police custody till May 31.

In video: Raj Namdeo's parents hold senior CISF officials responsible for the killing of his boss. (28k, 56k)

Hawk sale deal with India on cards
London, May 25
British defence giant BAE systems is poised to clinch the £ 1 billion sale of 66 Hawk trainer jets to the Indian Government, ending a 16-year wait to see the deal done, a media report said here today.

Israeli peace plan

Takht Patna Sahib’s edict ‘can’t be challenged’
Amritsar, May 25
An emergency meeting of five Sikh high priests held at Takht Patna Sahib today declared that Akal Takht had no right to declare any ‘hukmnama’ (edict) issued from any Takht as ‘null and void’.